New Zealand’s AML/CFT regime has entered a significant new phase, with the Department of Internal Affairs assuming sole supervisory control and releasing a sweeping package of 23 guidance updates.

The move signals a push toward greater regulatory consistency, clearer expectations, and a more streamlined compliance landscape for reporting entities.

For law firms, financial service providers, and compliance professionals, the development shows heightened scrutiny and increased support, but also with further guidance and industry engagement promised, the DIA is positioning itself at the centre of a more unified, and more demanding, anti-money laundering framework.

The DIA announcement about the release is below –

New Era for AML/CFT regulation as DIA Launches Comprehensive Guidance Suite

1 July 2026

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has released a suite of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) guidance updates on the day it assumes responsibility as sole AML/CFT regulator.

The new and updated material includes 23 pieces of guidance, one of the largest AML/CFT resource releases in recent years.

DIA Acting Director AML/CFT Caroline BridglandHill says it demonstrates the Department’s commitment to giving better support to new and existing reporting entities.

“Today is a defining moment for New Zealand’s AML/CFT system as DIA becomes the sole AML/CFT supervisor. Bringing supervision under one agency provides an opportunity for greater consistency, clearer expectations and a more streamlined experience for regulated entities”

We know this is a significant change for many businesses. That’s why we’re releasing one of the largest suites of AML/CFT guidance and educational resources in recent years, to help regulated entities understand their obligations and apply them with confidence”

Strong AML/CFT controls help protect New Zealand’s financial system and economy from criminal abuse. We encourage all regulated entities to review the new guidance and consider how it applies to their business, says Caroline BridglandHill.

Further AML/CFT guidance will be published in the coming months, and the Department will continue to work closely with reporting entities to support understanding and implementation of the Act, including through webinars, industry outreach and targeted engagement.

The 1 July release includes guidance and supporting materials covering:

• A guide to complying with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act  (PDF, 340KB) (New guidance)
• AML/CFT Reporting Entity Quick Start Guide (PDF, 1.2MB) (New guidance)
• Risk Assessment Guidance (PDF, 834KB) (updated July 2026)
• Assessing Country Risk Guidance (PDF, 874KB) (updated July 2026)
• In the Ordinary Course of Business Guidance (PDF, 1.2MB) (updated July 2026)
• Territorial Scope of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (PDF, 1MB) (updated July 2026)
• Customer Due diligence guidance:
  • Beneficial Ownership Guidance (PDF, 523KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Customer Due Diligence: Companies Guidance (PDF, 242KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Customer Due Diligence: Trusts Guidance (PDF, 258KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Customer Due Diligence: Limited Partnerships Guidance (PDF, 268KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Acting on Behalf Guidance (PDF, 360KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Clubs and Societies (PDF, 555KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Co-operatives (updated July 2026)
  • Sole traders and partnerships (PDF, 561KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Outsourcing your CDD requirements (PDF, 450KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Reliance on Another Reporting Entity (PDF, 409KB) (updated July 2026)
• Designated Business Group Guidance:
  • Designated Business Group Scope Guidance (PDF, 465KB) (updated July 2026) 
  • Designated Business Group – Formation and Change Guidance (PDF, 384KB) (updated July 2026)
  • Notification Form (PDF, 253KB)

• Audit Guidance for risk assessment and AML/CFT programme (PDF, 747KB) (updated July 2026)
• Guidance Wire Transfers and Prescribed Transaction Reporting (PDF, 504KB) (updated July 2026)
• Practice Note for Non-Bank Financial Institutions: Updated AML/CFT Guidance on wire transfers and prescribed transaction reporting (PDF, 115KB)
• Guidance: New Zealand Financial Crime Prevention Network Class Exemption (PDF, 440KB) (New guidance)

These follow the publication in June of the updated AML/CFT Compliance Programme and Enhanced CDD guidance to support reporting entities to implement changes under the AML/CFT Amendment Act 2026.