Anti-Money Laundering News and Insights

From 1 July 2026 the Department of Internal Affairs becomes New Zealand's sole AML/CFT supervisor. Find out what's changing for your annual report, and how to prepare before the deadline.

Summary

Prior to 18 May, reporting entities conducting customer due diligence (CDD) on trusts were required to verify source of wealth (SoW) and source of funds (SoF) by reliable and independent means - regardless of the trust's risk profile. This was a blanket requirement that applied broadly across trust customers.

---

Technology has changed the way businesses manage their Anti-Money Laundering (AML) obligations. It's now faster, easier, and more scalable to collect and manage data. AML technology streamlines administration, and makes it easier to keep up with every day compliance tasks.

When it comes to anti-money laundering (AML) obligations, not all clients present the same level of risk. While most can be onboarded using standard Customer Due Diligence (CDD), there are situations where regulators expect you to go further. This is where Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) comes in.

At AMLHUB, we understand that success in the fight against financial crime is not achieved in isolation. It is built through collaboration, commitment, and a shared purpose. Recently, our team came together to mark a significant milestone: a celebration of our journey, growth, and the people who have made it all possible.

If your business is captured under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act) you are required to assess your exposure to financial crime and implement effective mitigation strategies. Two critical documents underpin this: the risk assessment and the compliance programme.

Since 1 June 2025, Individual Customer Risk-Rating (ICRR) was mandated for all reporting entities under New Zealand’s AML/CFT framework – both at onboarding, and to be considered as part of ongoing Customer Due Diligence (CDD). 

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) Outsourcing means handing over some or all your CDD to a trusted partner. Instead of managing the process entirely in-house, you can collaborate with experts on things like onboarding checks and risk-rating to ongoing monitoring and record keeping. 

As we approach the next reporting cycle, now is a good time to start preparing your AML/CFT annual report.

 

The Evolution of Risk 

Join us in celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the AML Summit!