Media Release
MR No. 2026 – 31
The Financial Markets Authority – Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko (FMA) has released its second annual Financial Conduct Report (FCR), outlining progress made over the past year and its regulatory priorities for 2026/27 to continue improving outcomes for consumers, investors, and businesses.
FMA Chief Executive Samantha Barrass says the report reflects both the progress made and the key challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Over the past year, we’re proud to have delivered a significant amount of work to strengthen and improve New Zealand’s financial markets. This includes improving access to financial advice, supporting innovation through our regulatory sandbox pilot, stepping up our response to scams, and taking strong enforcement action where misconduct has occurred.”
The FMA’s priorities for 2026/27 span both specific sector focus areas and cross-sector themes. The four themes are aimed at addressing key risks and lifting conduct standards across the sectors we regulate:
- managing conflicts from remuneration structures
- product design for new and redesigned products
- complaints
- fraud detection and prevention
“By publishing this report annually, we provide transparency on the key risks and opportunities on our radar, and how we intend to address them, so industry understands our priorities and what they can expect from us.”
A key development for the year ahead is the transfer of responsibility for consumer credit to the FMA from 1 July 2026, bringing it under a single conduct regulator for financial services.
“The addition of consumer credit to our mandate is an important step that will strengthen consumer protection and enable more consistent oversight across the financial system.”
“This is particularly important as we’re currently operating in a global environment of significant uncertainty and heightened risk, reinforcing the importance of a robust, well‑functioning financial system that supports New Zealanders and remains resilient.”
The FMA says technology transformation is becoming an increasingly important driver across the sector.
“We recognise the importance of embracing innovation, including the growing role of AI in the financial system. New technologies present real opportunities to improve access and deliver better outcomes. Our focus is on supporting innovation while maintaining strong consumer protection and confidence in financial markets.”
Read the full report here: Financial Conduct Report 2026/27.
ENDS
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