Tēnā koe,

 

Thank you for contacting the [1][Ministry of Justice request email] mailbox at the
Ministry of Justice.  

 

This automatic message is to confirm we have received your email - we hope
to acknowledge you and advise next steps within two working days.   
  
Please note that this mailbox is not monitored on weekends, public
holidays or between 17:00 and 08:00 hours on working days.  Official
Information Act requests can take up to 20 working days to receive a
response.  If the Ministry needs more time, we will inform you. 

Ngā mihi,

Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice

Justice Centre I Aitken Street

DX Box SX 10088 I Wellington

[2]www.justice.govt.nz

 

 

References

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1. mailto:[Ministry of Justice request email]
2. http://www.justice.govt.nz/

Kia ora Harry

 

The OIA team has received and acknowledged your query regarding
cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds.

 

The ID number for this is OIA 133368, with a response due back to you on
or before 7 July 2026.

 

Ngā mihi  

Annie  

   

   

[1]Description: Annie May
http://justice.govt.nz/courts/shared/jus...
Senior Media
Advisor (Communication
Services)

Ph: 027 291 7573

[2]www.justice.govt.nz

 

 

 

References

Visible links
2. http://www.justice.govt.nz/

Tēnā koe Harry

Please find attached a letter regarding a partial transfer of your request.

Ngā mihi

 
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture justice.govt.nz
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Satoshi <[FYI request #34884 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 5:37 PM
To: [Ministry of Justice request email]
Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe,

I am writing under the Official Information Act 1982 to request information about the legal process governing the confiscation of cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand and the handling of proceeds.

I am a journalist with Cryptocurrency NZ (cryptocurrency.org.nz), New Zealand's independent crypto news organization. This request is made in the public interest.

I request the following information:

A. Confiscation orders

1. The number of confiscation orders issued involving cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand, broken down by year from 2015 to present.

2. The total estimated value of cryptocurrency subject to confiscation orders, broken down by year where records allow.

3. The legislation under which cryptocurrency assets are most commonly confiscated in New Zealand - including the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and any other relevant statutes.

B. Legal process

4. The legal process that must be followed before seized cryptocurrency can be liquidated or transferred following a confiscation order.

5. Whether there are any legal constraints on when or how quickly seized cryptocurrency can be sold after a confiscation order is granted.

6. How New Zealand courts and the Ministry treat the valuation of cryptocurrency assets for the purposes of confiscation proceedings, given price volatility.

C. Proceeds

7. Where the proceeds from liquidated cryptocurrency assets go following a confiscation order - including whether funds are returned to consolidated revenue, distributed to victims, or allocated to specific funds.

8. Whether there is a public record of proceeds received from cryptocurrency confiscations.

D. Policy

9. Whether the Ministry of Justice has issued or is developing any specific policy guidance on the treatment of cryptocurrency assets in criminal proceedings.

Please provide documents, records, policies or guidelines that are held and can be released under the Act. Where information cannot be released in full, I ask that it be released in part with reasons given for any withholding.

Ngā mihi,

Harry Satoshi
Editor, Cryptocurrency NZ

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FYI request #34884 email]

Is [Ministry of Justice request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Justice? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Harry

I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act (OIA) request below, transferred to NZ Police by the Ministry of Justice on 18 June 2026.

Your request is being actioned pursuant to the OIA.

Nga mihi
Lisa
Ministerial Services PNHQ

-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Satoshi <[FYI request #34884 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 5:37 PM
To: [Ministry of Justice request email]
Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe,

I am writing under the Official Information Act 1982 to request information about the legal process governing the confiscation of cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand and the handling of proceeds.

I am a journalist with Cryptocurrency NZ (cryptocurrency.org.nz), New Zealand's independent crypto news organization. This request is made in the public interest.

I request the following information:

A. Confiscation orders

1. The number of confiscation orders issued involving cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand, broken down by year from 2015 to present.

2. The total estimated value of cryptocurrency subject to confiscation orders, broken down by year where records allow.

3. The legislation under which cryptocurrency assets are most commonly confiscated in New Zealand - including the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and any other relevant statutes.

B. Legal process

4. The legal process that must be followed before seized cryptocurrency can be liquidated or transferred following a confiscation order.

5. Whether there are any legal constraints on when or how quickly seized cryptocurrency can be sold after a confiscation order is granted.

6. How New Zealand courts and the Ministry treat the valuation of cryptocurrency assets for the purposes of confiscation proceedings, given price volatility.

C. Proceeds

7. Where the proceeds from liquidated cryptocurrency assets go following a confiscation order - including whether funds are returned to consolidated revenue, distributed to victims, or allocated to specific funds.

8. Whether there is a public record of proceeds received from cryptocurrency confiscations.

D. Policy

9. Whether the Ministry of Justice has issued or is developing any specific policy guidance on the treatment of cryptocurrency assets in criminal proceedings.

Please provide documents, records, policies or guidelines that are held and can be released under the Act. Where information cannot be released in full, I ask that it be released in part with reasons given for any withholding.

Ngā mihi,

Harry Satoshi
Editor, Cryptocurrency NZ

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FYI request #34884 email]

Is [Ministry of Justice request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Justice? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

===============================================================

WARNING

The information contained in this email message is intended for the addressee only and may contain privileged information. It may also be subject to the provisions of section 50 of the Policing Act 2008, which creates an offence to have unlawful possession of Police property. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or have received this message in error, you must not peruse, use, distribute or copy this message or any of its contents. Also note, the views expressed in this message may not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Police. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately

hide quoted sections

Tēnā koe Harry

Please find attached a letter providing notification of an extension to your request.

Ngā mihi

Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture justice.govt.nz
 

-----Original Message-----
From: [Ministry of Justice request email] <[Ministry of Justice request email]>
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2026 2:07 PM
To: 'Harry Satoshi' <[FOI #34884 email]>
Subject: Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe Harry

Please find attached a letter regarding a partial transfer of your request.

Ngā mihi

 
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture justice.govt.nz
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Satoshi <[FOI #34884 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 5:37 PM
To: [Ministry of Justice request email]
Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe,

I am writing under the Official Information Act 1982 to request information about the legal process governing the confiscation of cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand and the handling of proceeds.

I am a journalist with Cryptocurrency NZ (cryptocurrency.org.nz), New Zealand's independent crypto news organization. This request is made in the public interest.

I request the following information:

A. Confiscation orders

1. The number of confiscation orders issued involving cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand, broken down by year from 2015 to present.

2. The total estimated value of cryptocurrency subject to confiscation orders, broken down by year where records allow.

3. The legislation under which cryptocurrency assets are most commonly confiscated in New Zealand - including the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and any other relevant statutes.

B. Legal process

4. The legal process that must be followed before seized cryptocurrency can be liquidated or transferred following a confiscation order.

5. Whether there are any legal constraints on when or how quickly seized cryptocurrency can be sold after a confiscation order is granted.

6. How New Zealand courts and the Ministry treat the valuation of cryptocurrency assets for the purposes of confiscation proceedings, given price volatility.

C. Proceeds

7. Where the proceeds from liquidated cryptocurrency assets go following a confiscation order - including whether funds are returned to consolidated revenue, distributed to victims, or allocated to specific funds.

8. Whether there is a public record of proceeds received from cryptocurrency confiscations.

D. Policy

9. Whether the Ministry of Justice has issued or is developing any specific policy guidance on the treatment of cryptocurrency assets in criminal proceedings.

Please provide documents, records, policies or guidelines that are held and can be released under the Act. Where information cannot be released in full, I ask that it be released in part with reasons given for any withholding.

Ngā mihi,

Harry Satoshi
Editor, Cryptocurrency NZ

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #34884 email]

Is [Ministry of Justice request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Justice? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Harry

Please find attached a response to your request. The Ministry apologises for the delay.

Ngā mihi
 
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services
Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture justice.govt.nz
 

-----Original Message-----
From: [Ministry of Justice request email] <[Ministry of Justice request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 2:06 PM
To: 'Harry Satoshi' <[FOI #34884 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe Harry

Please find attached a letter providing notification of an extension to your request.

Ngā mihi

Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture justice.govt.nz
 

-----Original Message-----
From: [Ministry of Justice request email] <[Ministry of Justice request email]>
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2026 2:07 PM
To: 'Harry Satoshi' <[FOI #34884 email]>
Subject: Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe Harry

Please find attached a letter regarding a partial transfer of your request.

Ngā mihi

 
Communications and Ministerial Services | Corporate Services Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture justice.govt.nz
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Satoshi <[FOI #34884 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 5:37 PM
To: [Ministry of Justice request email]
Subject: Official Information request - Official Information Act request - cryptocurrency confiscation orders and proceeds (ref: 133368)

Tēnā koe,

I am writing under the Official Information Act 1982 to request information about the legal process governing the confiscation of cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand and the handling of proceeds.

I am a journalist with Cryptocurrency NZ (cryptocurrency.org.nz), New Zealand's independent crypto news organization. This request is made in the public interest.

I request the following information:

A. Confiscation orders

1. The number of confiscation orders issued involving cryptocurrency assets in New Zealand, broken down by year from 2015 to present.

2. The total estimated value of cryptocurrency subject to confiscation orders, broken down by year where records allow.

3. The legislation under which cryptocurrency assets are most commonly confiscated in New Zealand - including the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 and any other relevant statutes.

B. Legal process

4. The legal process that must be followed before seized cryptocurrency can be liquidated or transferred following a confiscation order.

5. Whether there are any legal constraints on when or how quickly seized cryptocurrency can be sold after a confiscation order is granted.

6. How New Zealand courts and the Ministry treat the valuation of cryptocurrency assets for the purposes of confiscation proceedings, given price volatility.

C. Proceeds

7. Where the proceeds from liquidated cryptocurrency assets go following a confiscation order - including whether funds are returned to consolidated revenue, distributed to victims, or allocated to specific funds.

8. Whether there is a public record of proceeds received from cryptocurrency confiscations.

D. Policy

9. Whether the Ministry of Justice has issued or is developing any specific policy guidance on the treatment of cryptocurrency assets in criminal proceedings.

Please provide documents, records, policies or guidelines that are held and can be released under the Act. Where information cannot be released in full, I ask that it be released in part with reasons given for any withholding.

Ngā mihi,

Harry Satoshi
Editor, Cryptocurrency NZ

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #34884 email]

Is [Ministry of Justice request email] the wrong address for Official Information requests to Ministry of Justice? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections