As a recruiter who works closely with both consulting firms and senior professionals in the financial crime and risk space, I’ve seen first-hand how the compliance landscape in New Zealand has shifted and what that means for businesses and talent alike.
Whether you’re advising clients on anti-money laundering frameworks or trying to strengthen your own internal compliance function, one thing is clear: the stakes are higher, and the bar is rising.
Now, more than ever, organisations need access to specialist knowledge, practical experience, and strategic thinking to keep up with regulations and stay ahead of financial crime risks.
The Regulatory Landscape Is Changing Fast
New Zealand’s AML/CFT regime is in the midst of significant reform, with changes rolling out in three key phases:
- Phase 1 (mid-2023) focused on easing compliance in some low-risk areas, such as simplified due diligence for certain trusts.
- Phase 2 (mid-2024) has broadened the scope to include virtual asset service providers and imposed new requirements around wire transfers and verification processes.
- Phase 3 (coming in June 2025) will introduce customer risk ratings as a mandatory part of due diligence and increase expectations around transaction monitoring especially for online marketplaces and higher-risk entities.
At the same time, the government is preparing to shift AML/CFT oversight to a single supervisory body, most likely the Department of Internal Affairs, while introducing an industry levy to help fund the system long term.
These developments are already changing how organisations think about risk, compliance, and the skills they need on hand to manage both.
What This Means for Businesses
As a result of these changes, many businesses are finding themselves reassessing their AML/CFT programmes, stress-testing existing controls, and in some cases, having to remediate legacy issues before the new rules take hold.
While internal compliance teams remain vital, I’m seeing a growing trend: more organisations are leaning on external consulting specialists to help them make sense of the new rules, manage the uplift in expectations, and respond with confidence during regulator engagement.
The reality is, that these projects require a specific set of skills and not every business has the right capability in-house to deliver what’s now expected.
So, What Makes a Great Financial Crime Consultant?
From the recruitment side, here’s what clients consistently ask for when hiring into their financial crime consulting teams:
A strong understanding of AML/CFT law in New Zealand including the Financial Markets Conduct Act, FATF guidelines, and relevant offshore frameworks
Experience dealing with the FMA, RBNZ, or DIA whether through audit, inquiry response, or remediation
Proven ability to lead risk assessments, develop AML/CFT frameworks, or run investigations and internal reviews
Comfort with data analytics tools, transaction monitoring systems, and RegTech platforms
Credibility in front of clients or boards, especially when helping senior stakeholders make informed decisions
These professionals don’t just tick compliance boxes they partner with businesses to build resilience, uplift controls, and future-proof against evolving risks.
What Does a Financial Crime Director Do?
In the consulting world, a Financial Crime Director wears multiple hats. They’re often client-facing leaders, technical experts, team mentors, and commercial drivers rolled into one.
In practice, this means leading end-to-end advisory projects, supporting clients through regulatory engagements, and helping them embed effective financial crime frameworks. It also means contributing to firm strategy, managing senior relationships, and spotting opportunities for new work.
For many directors I speak to, what draws them to this space is the opportunity to solve complex, real-world problems across a variety of industries without being bogged down by legacy systems or red tape.
Who’s Hiring in This Space?
There’s strong demand for this skillset across:
- The Big 4 and mid-tier accounting firms
- Boutique risk and compliance consultancies
- Global forensic or litigation advisory firms
- Specialist law firms with AML or white-collar crime focus areas
What these employers value isn’t just technical ability it’s commercial awareness, people leadership, and the ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure.
An Opportunity Worth Exploring
Right now, I’m working with a well-regarded consulting firm in New Zealand looking to appoint a Financial Crime Director.
This is a strategic hire, with the firm seeking someone who can lead engagements, mentor a growing team, and play a key role in helping clients navigate the next phase of regulatory change especially as the June 2025 reforms come into play.
If you’re an experienced consultant or compliance leader considering your next move, this could be the right platform to elevate your career. Likewise, if you’re in-house and keen to step into a broader client-facing role, now could be the perfect time to make that shift.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question that financial crime regulation in New Zealand is getting more complex. But with that complexity comes opportunities both for firms that can deliver credible advice and for professionals with the right skills to lead the way.
If you’re a business looking for trusted expertise, or a senior professional ready to explore what’s next, I’d love to connect. At Tyler Wren, we work closely with the market to match great people with great roles and we’re always happy to share market insight or make an introduction.
Get in touch to talk through the Financial Crime Director opportunity or to discuss how the upcoming AML/CFT changes might affect your hiring or career plans.
Find out more about Tyler Wren’s:
Public Practice Recruitment (NZ)
Public Practice Recruitment (AU)
Risk and Compliance Recruitment (NZ)
General Insurance Recruitment (NZ)
Wealth Management Recruitment (NZ)
Life & Health Recruitment (NZ)
Banking and Finance Recruitment (NZ)
Here at Tyler Wren, we know good people know good people. That’s why we offer a referral bonus if you refer someone to Tyler Wren, with whom we secure a new role. Click here to find out more and refer a friend: Tyler Wren Refer a Friend.
Follow us on LinkedIn Facebook Instagram
#TylerWrenRiskCompliance #TylerWrenRiskManagement #TylerWren #TylerWrenCareers #TylerWrenLegal