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OIA20-0175
4 May 2020
Grace Haden
[FYI request #12228 email]
Dear Grace Haden
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
Thank you for your email of 2 April 2020, requesting a copy of the Ministry for
Primary Industries (MPI) current corruption and fraud policy.
A copy of the ‘
MPI Organisational Fraud, Theft and Corruption Policy, April 2018’ is
released to you under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
The policy sets out the key principles and responsibilities that MPI employees need
to be aware of with regard to the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud,
theft and corruption within the organisation.
This policy was developed to ensure that employees are aware of:
• their responsibilities for helping prevent and detect fraud, theft and corruption
• who to contact to report allegations and concerns of fraud, theft and corruption
• the organisation's policy on dealing with proven allegations of fraud, theft and
corruption
You have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to seek an investigation and review
by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Yours sincerely
Christine Young
Director Audit, Risk & Evaluation
Compliance & Governance
Audit, Risk & Evaluation
Charles Fergusson Building, 34-38 Bowen Street
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
mpi.govt.nz
MPI Organisational Policy
Fraud, Theft and Corruption
Owner: Director, Assurance and Evaluation
Policy
Published: April 18
Fraud, Theft and Corruption Policy
under the Official Information Act 1982
Released
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MPI Organisational Policy
Fraud, Theft and Corruption
Owner: Director, Assurance and Evaluation
Policy
Published: April 18
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Director-General
•
Ensures MPI has a sound system of internal control to manage fraud, theft and corruption risks
within the Ministry.
•
Makes final decisions on courses of action related to any serious fraud, theft or corruption,
including reporting to authorities.
Line management3
•
Set the tone for ethical and honest behaviour and MPI’s standards of integrity.
•
Establish and maintain effective internal controls to prevent and detect fraud, theft and
corruption within their areas of responsibility.
•
Regularly review the operation of these internal controls.
•
Ensure that MPI staff and volunteers, under their control are aware of, and comply with, MPI’s
organisational policies and procedures, and internal controls.
•
Receive reports of suspected case of fraud, theft and corruption and passes them on to Director
Assurance and Evaluation.
Director Security and Privacy
•
May receive reports of security and incidents, theft of property and misuse of systems.
•
Carries out investigations into security incidents and breaches which may identify instances of
fraud and theft.
•
Maintains records of any thefts of property and equipment reported.
e Official Information Act 1982
•
Advises the Director Assurance and Evaluation of any fraud and theft brought to their attention.
•
Advises the New Zealand Police of cases of theft of property and equipment brought to their
attention.
Director Assurance and Evaluation
under th
•
Receives reports of suspected cases of fraud, theft and corruption from MPI employees and/or
line management.
•
Determines the need for any investigation to be carried out into fraud and corruption,
authorises a lead investigator and secures any necessary internal and external resources needed
to complete an investigation.
•
Advises and recommends to the Director-General a course of action for dealing with any
Released
instance of suspected significant fraud, theft and corruption.
•
Liaises with appropriate internal parties in responding to instances of suspected fraud, theft and
corruption.
•
Notifies the Office of the Auditor General/MPI External Auditors of any cases of fraud, theft and
corruption.
3
The Director Security and Privacy, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Director HR have particular responsibilities for
establishing and maintaining the financial control, information communication technology control and people management control
environments that help to mitigate fraud risk
4
MPI Organisational Policy
Fraud, Theft and Corruption
Owner: Director, Assurance and Evaluation
Policy
Published: April 18
•
Where appropriate, advises the New Zealand Police/Serious Fraud Office and other
enforcement agencies of any cases of fraud, theft and corruption.
•
Maintains records of recorded instances of fraud, non property and equipment related theft and
corruption.
•
Ensures that support is available to those who report wrong doing.
•
Provides guidance and support, as required by Directors and Line Management, in the design,
operation and monitoring of internal controls to mitigate fraud, theft and corruption risks.
•
Carries out testing of controls susceptible to the risk of fraud as part of a programme of Internal
Audit reviews.
BREACHES OF POLICY
Any investigations which prove fraud, theft or corruption may result in legal or disciplinary action in
accordance with MPI disciplinary policies and potential termination of an individual’s employment.
Cases of fraud, theft and corruption may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities
if deemed appropriate, and charges may be laid as a result.
OTHER REFERENCES
MPI Code of Conduct
Organisational Guideline: Discipline Dealing with Misconduct guideline
Organisational Procedures Protected Disclosures Serious Wrongdoing
Conflict of Interest guidelines
MPI Organisational Policy: Security
under the Official Information Act 1982
Privacy Policy
Released
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