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Strategic Areas of Focus

Our Strategic Areas of Focus (SAF) guide decision-making and signal to stakeholders where we intend to allocate attention and resources. These focus areas are dynamic and responsive to issues critical to New Zealand’s economic and financial wellbeing.

As part of our Statement of Intent 2023–2027 [PDF, 7.6 MB], we committed to identifying and publishing strategic areas of focus for case selection. We introduced our first SAF in July 2023, with a commitment to review and update them by January 2025. This work has been completed and our revised SAF are outlined below. 

By focusing our specialist resources on cases with the greatest potential for impact, we aim to deter offenders and build public confidence in the systems that protect New Zealanders. Effective targeting ensures we maximise our ability to disrupt serious or complex fraud and prevent harm to our communities.

Download our revised SAF [PDF, 264 KB].

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Background 

The updated SAFs emphasises a holistic approach, integrating prevention, detection, engagement and operations. This ensures each focus area is supported by specific detection and prevention plans, alongside tailored engagement campaigns. This integrated approach aims to increase the volume and quality of referrals, enhance deterrence by raising awareness of the SFO’s efforts, and strengthen prevention activities within specific sectors.

This list does not represent our entire caseload and we continue to encourage and receive all complaints and referrals involving suspected serious or complex fraud. 

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Any complaints or referrals we receive will be assessed against our statutory criteria, including the scale of the alleged crime, its impact on victims, its complexity and the degree of public interest.

Supporting information

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