FATF status

New Zealand is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in New Zealand was undertaken in 2021. According to that Evaluation, New Zealand was deemed Compliant for 8 and Largely Compliant for 20 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was deemed Highly effective for 2 and Substantially Effective for 4 of the Effectiveness & Technical Compliance ratings.

New Zealand is recognized for its low corruption levels, consistently ranking highly on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index. The country enforces strict penalties for bribery and actively participates in international anti-corruption agreements, such as the OECD Convention and the UN Convention Against Corruption. With a favorable regulatory environment for businesses and effective law enforcement, the risk of corruption remains minimal, supported by laws that prohibit bribery in both public and private sectors.

New Zealand's economy faced sluggish GDP growth and high inflation throughout 2023, exacerbated by external factors such as the war in Ukraine, which increased food and fuel prices. The new center-right coalition government has committed to creating a business-friendly environment by repealing recent collective bargaining legislation and signaling plans to loosen foreign investment restrictions in 2024.

New Zealand has an open and transparent investment climate that encourages foreign investment, treating foreign investors equally to domestic ones after a screening process for certain sensitive areas. The new coalition government plans to loosen restrictions on foreign investment starting in 2024, while maintaining a well-developed legal framework and regulatory system that supports long-term investment.