Multiple formal warnings signal tougher stance on anti-money laundering non-compliance

17 June 2026

Ten reporting entities, including six law firms, and one real estate agency have been issued public formal warnings, in a move by the Department of Internal Affairs to reinforce the importance of anti-money laundering audit requirements.

“This is the first time we have issued multiple co-ordinated formal warnings for failing to complete a required independent audit,” Laura Olsen, Acting Director, AML/CFT, at the Department of Internal Affairs says.

“Today’s action signals a clear expectation that reporting entities must comply with their legal obligations. These exist to protect us from financial crime, by helping us spot gaps in the system that could allow dirty money to slip through.

“This isn’t compliance for compliance’s sake. Independent audits help us check whether a reporting entity’s AML/CFT programme actually works, identify gaps, and ensures compliance isn’t just paper-based.

“Many crimes tied to money laundering harm ordinary people. Strong AML/CFT controls reduce these risks.

“Alongside taking action where non-compliance occurs, our broader goal is to support reporting entities to understand and meet their AML/CFT obligations effectively. Strong compliance frameworks deliver benefits across the system. We are committed to working alongside industry to achieve this,” Laura Olsen says.

The independent audit breaches were detected as part of the Department’s 2026 thematic review.

The formal warnings were issued to the following reporting entities:

• Singhs Lawyers – Law firm
• Robertsons Associates Limited – Law firm
• Mangere Law Limited – Law firm
• Flexi Online New Zealand Limited – Payment provider
• Countryman Realty Limited – Real estate agency
• Cook North & Wong Limited – Accounting service provider
• Castleview Law Limited – Law firm
• Wilton Finance Limited – Non-bank non-deposit taking lender
• FC Law Partners – Law firm
• Woodroffe Lawyers – Law firm

Each of these reporting entities failed to undertake an independent audit of its AML/CFT programme and risk assessment on at least two occasions, as required under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.

-ENDS-

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