The Serious Fraud Office recently released a Long-Term Insights Briefing looking at how fraud and corruption are changing in New Zealand, what risks we face, and what needs to improve. It highlights the growing importance of whistleblowers and the need to strengthen how we support people who speak up. The article below summarises key points from the briefing and shares our perspective on what New Zealand must do next to better protect and value whistleblowers.
New Zealand prides itself on being a low-corruption country. We trust our public institutions and we’re used to seeing ourselves near the top of global transparency rankings. But recent findings show that fraud and corruption are increasing, becoming more sophisticated, and our systems are struggling to keep up. If we want to protect our reputation, whistleblowers will be crucial.
Most major fraud cases are uncovered because someone on the inside chose to speak up. Whistleblower reports expose more wrongdoing than audits, data analytics or internal controls ever will. Systems can detect patterns, but people see the truth behind them. In simple terms, whistleblowers see what systems can’t.
Why Whistleblowers Matter More Than Ever
Fraud today is fast, organised and often technology-driven. Artificial intelligence is being used to forge documents, impersonate people and hide financial activity. Encrypted platforms and digital currencies make it harder to follow the money. Often, an insider is the only person who notices something isn’t right. This makes whistleblowers one of the most effective tools we have to detect fraud and corruption early, before harm spreads. In a small country like ours, their role is even more important.
The Hard Reality of Speaking Up in New Zealand
New Zealanders are not quick to report wrongdoing. We work in close networks, industries are tight-knit and people worry that speaking up could damage their career, reputation or relationships. Many stay silent because they fear being labelled disloyal or difficult. Protecting anonymity is essential. Without genuine protection, people will not come forward.
Our whistleblowing laws were strengthened in 2022, which was a step forward. But more needs to be done to create truly safe and trusted reporting pathways. People need to know they won’t be exposed, punished or ignored when they speak up.
How Other Countries Support Whistleblowers
Some countries have taken stronger steps to support and encourage whistleblowing, including offering financial recognition when a report leads to wrongdoing being proven or funds recovered. These systems aren’t about paying informants. They’re about fairness and acknowledging personal sacrifice.
Many whistleblowers overseas lose their income, careers and social support after speaking up. Offering compensation recognises that doing the right thing should not leave someone worse off.
Support systems also make a difference. Safe reporting channels, legal protection and a clear process help people feel confident to speak out.
Three Possible Futures for New Zealand
Current trends suggest three possible paths for the country over the next 20 to 25 years. In the best-case future, New Zealand becomes a leader in transparency and accountability. Whistleblowers are protected, reporting is simple and public trust remains strong.
In a middle-ground future, New Zealand’s reputation slowly erodes. Fraud increases beneath the surface and trust in institutions declines.
The worst-case future sees corruption take hold, whistleblowers silenced or punished, and New Zealand losing the integrity and trust it is known for. Which path we take depends on the choices we make now.
What Needs to Change
To build a culture where speaking up is supported, not feared, New Zealand needs to:
1. Guarantee anonymity in practice, not just in policy
Reporting must be genuinely safe. People need confidence their identity won’t be revealed.
2. Make reporting simple and clear
People shouldn’t have to guess where to report to. The use of Independent Whistleblower platforms sends a clear signal of how to report serious wrongdoing.
3. Show that speaking up leads to action
When people see wrongdoing ignored or brushed aside, they stop reporting it. Whistleblowers must be backed, not buried.
The Bottom Line
Whistleblowers aren’t trying to cause trouble. They’re trying to prevent it. They protect colleagues, organisations and the public from harm that usually stays hidden until it’s too late.
If New Zealand wants to protect its integrity, we must treat whistleblowers as courageous contributors to a safer and more transparent society. Without them, fraud and corruption don’t just continue unnoticed. They become normalised.
Whistleblowers see the cracks first. They speak up first. And if we protect them properly, they will continue to be our strongest defence against wrongdoing.
Whistleblowers 