Wellington, New Zealand – June 16, 2025
The New Zealand Financial Regulatory Authority (NZFRA) today announced the implementation of enhanced requirements for the reporting of beneficial ownership information by all licensed financial service providers and registered entities. This regulatory update aims to further promote transparency, mitigate risks of money laundering and terrorism financing, and safeguard the integrity of New Zealand’s financial system.
Under the new guidelines, all applicants for an NZFRA license must disclose the identities of their beneficial owners at the time of application. Beneficial owners are defined as natural persons who directly or indirectly hold more than 25% ownership or exercise significant control over an entity. Additionally, any changes in beneficial ownership must be reported to NZFRA within 15 business days of occurrence.
“The revised beneficial ownership reporting requirements will enhance the traceability of corporate structures and ensure that financial services in New Zealand remain secure, transparent, and trusted by the international community,” said an NZFRA spokesperson. “These measures align with global best practices in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF), and underscore NZFRA’s commitment to protecting both investors and the wider public.”
Entities are required to maintain accurate records and provide supporting documentation when requested by regulators. Non-compliance with the new rules may result in penalties, license suspension, or revocation.
NZFRA urges all license holders and applicants to review the updated guidelines and ensure their internal compliance frameworks are aligned with the new requirements.
Full details and official guidance documents are available on the NZFRA website.
