(MENAFN) New Zealand has introduced a pilot anti-corruption initiative aimed at reinforcing integrity within the public sector and improving fraud prevention efforts, according to an official government announcement on Friday.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Serious Fraud Office with backing from the New Zealand Police and the Public Service Commission, brings together specialists to evaluate vulnerabilities and enhance oversight of how public funds are managed.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell described the pilot as a forward-looking step designed to keep the country’s fraud prevention and response framework strong in the face of growing risks to the public sector. “The public sector accounts for a third of the economy and the pilot is a critical step in protecting and enhancing New Zealand's reputation as an attractive place to invest,” Mitchell said.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins added that the program aligns with the government’s broader commitment to public sector integrity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining New Zealand’s global standing for low corruption through increased accountability and transparency.

As part of the pilot, agencies such as the Department of Corrections, Inland Revenue, and the Ministry of Social Development will review their systems for detecting and preventing fraud and corruption. They will also report on both preventive efforts and any offenses uncovered.

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