Guide
AML for real estate agents in New Zealand
What the AML/CFT Act asks of a New Zealand real estate agency: a compliance officer, a risk assessment, a programme and an independent audit every three years.
The short answer
Real estate agents in New Zealand are reporting entities under the AML/CFT Act, supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Each agency needs a compliance officer, a written risk assessment, an AML/CFT programme based on it, and an independent audit at least every three years.
If you are self-employed, DIA expects you to be your own compliance officer. The obligations stay with the agency whoever does the work.
- Compliance officer
- Every agency appoints one. For a one-person agency, that is the owner.
- Risk assessment and programme
- Write down how money laundering and terrorism financing could reach your business, then the procedures that manage those risks: customer due diligence, record keeping, reporting and training.
- Independent audit
- At least every three years. DIA's sector findings repeatedly cite missing audits and weak programmes.
- Supervision is changing
- The government is moving to DIA as the sole AML/CFT supervisor from mid-2026, and DIA has published a Real Estate Agent Sector Risk Assessment 2026.
Questions agents ask
Is a real estate agent a reporting entity in New Zealand?
Yes. Real estate agents are reporting entities under the AML/CFT Act, supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Who is the compliance officer in a one-person agency?
DIA expects a self-employed owner to fill the compliance officer role themselves.
How often does an agency need an independent AML audit?
At least every three years.
Has DIA taken public action against real estate firms?
Yes. DIA has issued public warnings to real estate firms for AML failings.
Keep every AML file in one place
Indium runs customer due diligence, the programme and the evidence log for New Zealand agencies.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Checked against the sources above in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your regulator. More guides.
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