Foreign bribery might sound like a distant issue, something that happens in faraway countries, in murky backrooms, with little relevance to daily life in New Zealand. But that’s exactly the misconception we need to challenge. Because the reality is, foreign bribery harms us all. Globally, the United Nations estimates that at least 1 trillion USD is paid in bribes annually. It corrodes fair business practices, damages reputations, distorts markets, and undermines the integrity that New Zealand prides itself on.
Last week at the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) we launched a national awareness campaign, featuring the introduction of an encrypted online platform that allows informants to report suspected foreign bribery anonymously.
What do we mean by foreign bribery? It could be a New Zealand company or its agent paying a bribe to a foreign official to secure market access. Or a foreign company bribing a New Zealand-based public official to win a supply contract. It can also happen in the private sector – kickbacks offered by overseas suppliers to local procurement officers in exchange for business. These activities often fly under the radar, but they hurt New Zealand companies trying to compete fairly, and they damage our reputation on the global stage.
The SFO has active foreign bribery cases on its books, in all stages from intelligence gathering through to prosecution. This includes an active prosecution involving the alleged bribery of a senior health official by a foreign company, in exchange for medical equipment contracts. This case illustrates the real-life harm to New Zealanders from this type of corruption. We are engaging with our international law enforcement partners to develop leads and increase our ability to detect foreign bribery offending involving New Zealand.
Let me be frank: New Zealand’s institutions, public or private, are not immune to bribery and corruption. While we rightly celebrate our high international rankings for transparency and low corruption, these accolades can sometimes breed complacency and foreign bribery is a real threat – one that’s particularly difficult to detect without insider information.
That’s where whistleblowers come in. A common way foreign bribery offending is uncovered around the world is by someone speaking up. But here in New Zealand, with our tightly knit communities and professional networks and relatively small industry sectors, it’s not always easy to do the right thing. There’s often a real fear of backlash – whether that’s professional ostracism, damaged career prospects, or personal consequences.
Our new reporting platform directly addresses that fear. It allows anyone with concerns to provide information completely anonymously, and engage in secure communications with our investigators. That’s a game-changer. We’ve modelled our approach on systems already working well for agencies like the Commerce Commission. And we’re launching the platform in multiple languages, because we know foreign bribery often crosses cultural and linguistic borders.
Importantly, this initiative aligns with our international commitments under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, which recently called for stronger whistleblower protections and more anonymous reporting channels as part of New Zealand’s commitment to tackling foreign bribery.
We are introducing this reporting tool as part of a targeted national advertising campaign focused on looking out for red flags, as we recognise that foreign bribery is not yet widely understood. If you’re unsure what foreign bribery looks like, we’ve got examples. If you think you’ve seen something suspicious, we’re ready to hear from you. If you’re just curious, visit our website and learn more.
This campaign and tool are not just about law enforcement, they’re about shared responsibility. They aim to encourage all of us to play our part in supporting New Zealand businesses to thrive, ultimately benefiting our economy.
Whether you export or import, are in the trades or business, offer professional advice or work across our public sector – you have a role to play in keeping New Zealand fair, ethical, and corruption-free. If you’re overseas doing business on behalf of a New Zealand company, we’re talking to you too.
Of course, one campaign won’t solve the problem overnight. But it does send a clear message: New Zealand is not a soft target for foreign bribery. We take these matters seriously, and we’re equipping ourselves – and the public – to respond more effectively. Foreign bribery has no place in New Zealand, and we are committed to holding offenders to account.
So, here’s the call to action: if you see red flags, report them. If you’re unsure, ask. And if you’ve got information but worry about what might happen next, know that we’ve built this system to protect you.
Foreign bribery damages us all. But with the right tools and the courage to use them, we can protect what matters most – our integrity, our economy, and our international standing.
Karen Chang is the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.
To report suspected foreign bribery, visit www.sfo.govt.nz/contact/report-foreign-bribery
