New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) reported that a Hamilton law firm, Foster & Milroy, has been fined NZD 60,000 for criminal breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act) following a DIA investigation. Foster & Milroy pleaded guilty to failing to complete a compliant risk assessment, failing to establish, implement or maintain an AML/CFT programme, failing to maintain proper records, and wilfully obstructing an AML/CFT supervisor. The Court took into account the firm’s size and financial capacity, and the DIA said the non-compliance and obstruction occurred repeatedly between March 2022 and March 2025, including by refusing to respond to notices and only partially responding to others.
Department of Internal Affairs 2026-04-24
New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs enforcement results in NZD 60,000 fine for Hamilton law firm over AML/CFT failures and obstruction
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has fined Hamilton law firm Foster & Milroy NZD 60,000 for criminal breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act following a departmental investigation. The firm pleaded guilty to failures in risk assessment, AML/CFT programme implementation, record-keeping, and wilfully obstructing an AML/CFT supervisor, with repeated non-compliance and obstruction between March 2022 and March 2025.