Latest news with #MinisterialAdvisoryGroup
Coin Geek
14-07-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
New Zealand bans Bitcoin ATMs in crackdown on financial crime
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... New Zealand announced new steps on Wednesday to strengthen efforts to combat serious financial crime, including a ban on digital currency ATMs and new powers for financial crime police. In a July 9 press release, New Zealand's Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said the measures were part of a broader strengthening of the country's anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. 'Since 2019, the global financial and regulatory landscape has shifted significantly,' said McKee. 'We need a smarter, more agile AML/CFT system – one that targets criminals ability to launder money, while enabling New Zealand businesses to operate efficiently and competitively.' She added that the government was serious about 'targeting criminals, not tying up legitimate businesses in unnecessary red tape.' One of the chief areas of concern identified was the digital asset space, particularly digital currency ATMs. New Zealand bans crypto ATMs In April, New Zealand's Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime reported approximately 200 digital currency ATMs across New Zealand, usually located in small supermarkets, convenience stores, vape stores, petrol stations, and laundromats. According to the report, 'criminals can use these ATMs to purchase cryptocurrency and transfer that cryptocurrency within minutes to offshore criminals to fund drug imports or to make payments associated with scams.' It also noted—by way of comparison to how other jurisdictions are dealing with the issue—that digital currency ATMs were made illegal in the United Kingdom in 2022. However, this is not entirely accurate. In the U.K., ATMs offering digital currency exchange services are required to be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the country's top finance sector regulator, and comply with U.K. Money Laundering Regulations (MLR). None of the digital asset firms registered with the FCA have been approved to offer digital currency ATM services, which means that any digital currency ATMs operating in the U.K. are doing so illegally. It's unclear how many digital asset firms have applied to the FCA for digital currency ATM services, but the agency's refusal—thus far—to approve any effectively amounts to a ban, in all but name. Whether they view themselves as following in the U.K.'s footsteps or not, New Zealand has now gone one step further, explicitly announcing an outright ban. On Wednesday, Associate Justice Minister McKee said the country would make it 'more difficult for criminals to convert cash to high-risk assets such as crypto currencies by banning crypto ATMs.' But this was just one of several new anti-financial crime measures announced. Broader financial crime crackdown On top of the digital currency ATM ban, McKee also revealed that the government has agreed to introduce a bill to strengthen enforcement powers for police and regulators, 'to crack down on those involved in money laundering.' The bill will, amongst other measures, establish a new financial sanctions supervisory regime, and set an upper limit on how much cash can be transferred internationally—$5,000 per transfer. According to McKee, this latter mandate is aimed at 'reducing the ability of the criminal organisation to move its funds offshore.' In addition, the bill will enable New Zealand's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to order banks and other businesses subject to the AML/CFT rules to provide ongoing relevant information on persons of interest. 'This will enable the more effective development of the financial intelligence needed to bring the criminals to justice,' said the Associate Justice Minister. Despite this seeming tightening of controls, McKee emphasized that the various measures are aimed at making life more difficult for money launderers, not legitimate businesses. 'We want New Zealand to be one of the easiest places in the world to do legitimate business and one of the hardest for criminals to hide,' said McKee. 'By cutting unnecessary red tape, we're giving honest businesses room to grow, while sharpening our focus on serious threats.' Digital currency ATMs not in vogue New Zealand's complete ban on crypto ATMs and the U.K.'s de facto ban are symptomatic of a general increase in unwanted attention of late, from global lawmakers and enforcement agencies, in the growing sector. Earlier in the year, New Zealand's antipodean neighbor, Australia, also decided to crack down on digital currency ATMs. In April, Australia's financial crimes watchdog put digital currency ATM operators on notice over a lack of AML/CFT checks. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the country's financial intelligence agency, issued the warning amid a spike in digital currency ATM usage in the country, which it said has provided fertile grounds for scammers and other criminals. An investigation by an AUSTRAC task force, set up in September 2024 to investigate whether crypto ATMs had the proper AML/CFT checks in place, examined data from nine digital currency ATM providers over several months and concluded that it bears the hallmarks of scams, fraud, and other illicit activity. It also found that most users were over 50 years of age and accounted for almost 72% of all transactions by value. This investigation was followed in June by AUSTRAC, which rolled out new operating rules and transaction limits for digital currency ATM operators. The agency announced it was imposing a AUD5,000 (US$3,250) limit on cash deposits and withdrawals from digital currency ATMs, as well as scam warning signs, more robust transaction monitoring, and enhanced customer due diligence obligations. The same day AUSTRAC announced its new digital currency ATM measures, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed that the country's online cybercrime reporting system, ReportCyber, had received 150 unique reports of scams involving crypto ATMs between January 2024 and January 2025. The AFP said that total losses exceeded AUD3.1 million (US$2 million), which it added 'may be just the tip of the iceberg.' These kinds of damning stats are not unique to Australia. In the United States, where data from Coin ATM Radar puts the number of digital currency ATMs at over 30,000 nationwide, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that losses by U.S. consumers from digital currency ATM fraud increased nearly 10X between 2020 and 2023—from $12 million to $114 million. For this reason, in February Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act, 'to help prevent scammers from stealing Americans' savings through cryptocurrency schemes.' The bill would, amongst other mandates, require digital currency ATMs to carry warnings about the risk of fraud; prevent new users from spending more than $2,000 daily or $10,000 over a 14-day period at crypto ATMs; require live, verbal confirmation for any transaction greater than $500; and allow for full refunds when users file police reports and alert operators within 30 days of their transactions. Durbin's bill remains in the committee stage in the Senate, and without any Republican co-sponsors, it seems unlikely it will make it into law, but it does demonstrate a determination from some U.S. lawmakers to tackle the controversial digital currency ATM sector. Watch: How do you build a successful ecosystem? 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RNZ News
09-07-2025
- RNZ News
Meth consumption still high, no evidence of related spike in crime
Packets of methampetamine seized at Auckland Airport last month. Photo: Supplied / NZ police The latest wastewater data for the first three months of this year shows methamphetamine consumption remains at significantly high levels. Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said it was "gutting" and had concerns for the potential increase in crime and social harm. But police data shows there is no evidence yet of a significant spike in crime following the significant spike in methamphetamine use . It comes as the Ministerial Advisory Group on Organised Crime releases its most recent report, highlighting the need to 'remove the customers of drug crime' . Wastewater testing showed a 96 percent increase of consumption of methamphetamine in 2024, compared to 2023, which has been referred to as a "doubling" in meth use. Fifteen kilograms of methamphetamine was consumed every week in the March 2019 quarter. In the December 2024 quarter, about 36kg was consumed on average each week. The latest data from nationwide wastewater testing taken from January to March this year shows an average of 33 kg consumed per week. Casey Costello, the Minister of Customs and Associate Minister of Police, who is in charge of the Ministerial Advisory Group on organised crime told RNZ in a statement it was good meth use was down, but it remained "far too high". All districts continued to record above average use when compared to the respective consumption rates over the previous four quarters, the report said. "Methamphetamine use across sample sites in Q1 2025 equates to an estimated weekly social harm cost of $34.6 million." It was not clear yet whether more people started using, or whether the same people were using more. "We'd expect a massive increase in the population use. It doesn't seem that that's the case," Williams said, and more testing was being done to understand what happened to cause the uptick last July. Regardless, Williams said it was "gutting to see" meth use was still in the range of that top level, "honestly, seriously concerning." Detective Superintendent Greg Williams. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone He could not say whether the increase in meth use had directly caused an increase in crime, but said "meth is a massive driver of crime, social harm and social deprivation in communities". "So regardless of whether it's more people using or people using more it's still creating significantly more social harm and also seeing significantly more money going to the hands of gangs across the country, who are the ones selling this into the community." Williams acknowledged the price of meth had dropped, but it was still relatively high compared to the rest of the world. "You've still got to find the money to pay for that right? "That's the concern." Data from the National Drugs in Wastewater Testing Programme / NZ Police. Photo: Supplied To consider whether there had been a jump in crime related to a jump in meth use, RNZ looked at the Recorded Crime Victims Statistics , which shows how many times Police receive reports of crimes that have a victim - or "victimisations" such as assault, burglary, theft. According to Police data from the RCVS, there was not a significant and continuous spike in crime that directly aligned with the spike in meth use which began in July 2024. Over a period of two years, between the start of July 2023 and the end of June 2025, the nationwide trend was relatively steady in terms of the number of victimisations. Here's a breakdown nationwide by month over those two years (up to the latest data available) which shows the number of victimisations after the spike in meth use stays relatively consistent with the period before the spike. Nationwide victimisations: - Data from Police RCVS According to wastewater data , the police regions of Northland, Eastern, Waikato and Tāmaki Makaurau saw the highest methamphetamine consumption per capita. Here's the breakdown of victimisations in those police districts by month for the past two years, where you can see a marginal increase in some cases, but a relatively consistent trend. Victimisations by region: - Data from Police RCVS Asked whether he was seeing a correlation between the increase in meth use and an increase in crime, Detective Superintendent Williams said he did not have that data in front of him but referenced research which showed a cohort of meth users who had a conviction were committing five times more offending than a non-meth-using cohort. Williams said it was hard to say what the long-term impacts would be and when they might start to be seen, but in the meantime, gangs were getting significantly more money as a result of the increased use. "So, inherently, you have to see an impact out there in communities." Data based on reported crime can sometimes hide what goes unreported, so a victimisation survey - which asked people about their experiences of crime - was typically considered the gold standard measurement. However, New Zealand's version - the Crime and Victims Survey - is run annually, so that data was not available. The group provides monthly reports to the minister with findings and recommendations regarding New Zealand's response to organised crime. The latest report published this week, for June, was titled 'One Team Against Organised Crime', and specified the need for a sustained and concerted strategy and action at government and community levels to break long term, intergenerational cycles and address the symptoms and root causes of organised crime. It specified a need for a national strategy with local implementation to fight TASC, as well as a focus on prevention, stating "we agree that building community resilience to organised crime" should be part of the strategy. "This is consistent with the foundational objectives for national drug policies: problem limitation, demand reduction and supply control. "These principles have informed the work recently undertaken by the meth sprint team commissioned by the Prime Minister." Minister of Customs and Associate Minister of Police Casey Costello speaks about an organised crime programme that targets the causes of drug use in communities. Photo: RNZ / Ellen O'Dwyer A section titled 'Removing the Customers of Drug Crime' outlined the current situation where Customs was seizing far more illicit drugs than ever before, while there had been a substantial increase in the consumption of methamphetamine. It noted, even before the spike in meth and cocaine, there were real pressures on addiction services in New Zealand. For example, in 2023/24: a. New Zealand spent around $235 million on specialist alcohol and other drug services b. 44,850 people accessed AOD services c. Wait times into specialist addiction services within 3 weeks were 75.8 percent. The report raised the question of whether the costs of organised crime were paid for through "increased efforts to reduce demand or through enforcement, or through the longer-term costs of social harms, including, for example, the costs of imprisonment". "We have heard from community leaders that it would be helpful to see drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal issue to enable addicts to access treatment." Part of this could be increasing support for confidential drug testing services; encouraging police to refer people who use drugs to local treatment options; continuing support for community-based meth reduction programmes like Te Ara Oranga in Northland; and meeting other health needs like undiagnosed neurodiversity (such as ADHD) so illicit drugs were not being used to control those symptoms. Key recommendations from the group to prevent drug crime included: a. Reducing the stigma around being a drug user to encourage users to seek help b. Investing in the availability of effective addiction treatment services to remove the customers of drug crime c. Considering wider rollout of alternative treatment models and criminal justice pathways for users, such as Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Courts. A response from the government's 'meth sprint team' to the increased meth use is expected in due course, and could be as soon as this month. 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Cambrian News
06-07-2025
- Health
- Cambrian News
New Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales appointed
Dr Calvert will also become the National Clinical Director for NHS Performance and Improvement – this fulfils the Welsh Government's response to a recommendation made by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity.
South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Wales' new deputy chief medical officer is appointed
Dr James Calvert takes on the role for Wales, bringing extensive experience in clinical leadership and public health. As well as being named the deputy chief medical officer for Wales, he will also serve as national clinical director for NHS performance and improvement. The appointment follows a recommendation from the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS performance and productivity. Dr Calvert has spent more than 16 years working in Gwent and is known for his dedication to improving healthcare delivery across Wales. Dr Calvert joins the Welsh Government from his previous role as medical director and deputy chief executive at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. He is a graduate of Oxford University and holds a PhD in epidemiology. He also completed a master of public health at Harvard University as a Fulbright scholar. Dr Calvert said: "I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for the NHS in Wales. "I look forward to working with colleagues across the NHS and government to build on our shared commitment to high-quality, equitable healthcare for all." His career includes national advisory roles and clinical leadership positions. He has served as national specialty advisor for severe asthma and led the National Asthma Audit at the Royal College of Physicians. Professor Isabel Oliver, chief medical officer for Wales, said: "I welcome Dr Calvert and I am very much looking forward to working with him. "He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. "Dr Calvert will help strengthen medical leadership in Wales and his post will include responsibility for Wales providing clinical leadership to NHS performance and improvement and improving our clinical services across the NHS Wales." Jeremy Miles, health secretary, said: "Dr Calvert's experience will prove invaluable to the role of deputy chief medical officer, and he will provide clear clinical leadership from the top in his new role with NHS performance and improvement." Dr Calvert will begin his new responsibilities in August.
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Citizens arrest changes unlikely to improve safety: ministry
The government's proposed citizen's arrest changes are unlikely to have much impact on public safety, according to the justice ministry's analysis. It says there are also risks people would be more likely to use unreasonable force, particularly on children who - being physically smaller - are easier to catch and restrain. In February, the justice minister unveiled proposals for changing up the citizen's arrest regime, after a Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) led by Sunny Kaushal came up with the recommendations. The changes would remove an old limitation on making citizens arrests at certain hours of the day, and clarify other aspects of the law including that restraints and reasonable force could be used, and requiring people to call police and follow their instructions as soon as practicable. They are set to be combined with a raft of changes to Crimes Act announced this week, including instant fines for shoplifters, higher penalties for assaulting first responders, and making a "coward punch" a specific offence. The ministry's Regulatory Impact Statement showed the approach taken by the government was more conservative than what the MAG initially proposed, but more ambitious than what the ministry would have wanted. It found the changes likely to improve how people understood the law, but unlikely to materially improve public safety. "The changes are coherent, and somewhat minimise the scope for unintended consequences. In of themselves, these proposals are not expected to reduce offending levels but will provide more clarity around how intervention can occur, what should be done following an arrest, and remove confusion as to what degree of force can be used to defend one's property," it said. It found clarifying the rules - that people making citizen's arrests can use restraints and should contact police as soon as practicable - was likely to "codify (but not change) the status quo". However, people could also be encouraged by the changes to use force and restraints to make such arrests, which "may lead to unreasonable use of force and unlawful detention". The ministry said this could be seen as inconsistent with the Bill of Rights, and the use of restraints "is inconsistent with laws regulating the use of force on children and young people". "Agencies believe that specifying the use of restraints (although already allowed under the law) may lead to unreasonable use of restraints, which is especially concerning in relation to alleged youth offenders (who may be more likely to be arrested given they are typically physically easier to restrain that alleged adult offenders). "Further, Māori are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by these changes (if more arrests occur)." Removing restrictions on hitting or doing bodily harm when making an arrest would also mean less confusion about the law and make it more workable and consistent - but again, with no material change to public safety. "No impact on public safety expected as the proposal does not allow for more than reasonable force and there is a minimal risk that retailers or the public will interpret this as allowing excessive force in applicable defence of property scenarios." A cost-benefit analysis suggested the changes would make retailers and security guards' rights and obligations clearer, but this could also come with "minimal" one-off costs and the changes would overall have a "low" level of impact. It also said police had raised concern about several aspects of the changes: a. the inconsistent use of arrest powers and the relative lack of training retailers are likely to have in relation to arrests; b. the risk that more than reasonable force is used - and that prosecutions follow, undermining the policy objectives; c. the vulnerability of children and young people and how they may be detained; d. offenders targeting places with less security (e.g., lone retail operators) or an escalation of violence (that would otherwise not occur) aimed at deterring arrests by retailers; e. that citizens will perform arrests where Police would not, due to evidentiary or public interest thresholds for arrest and charging a suspect not being met - undermining confidence in the criminal justice system; and f. that situations of low-level theft escalate into more serious violent situations. The document said limited time, a narrow scope, few options to consider and a lack of broader consultation all limited the depth of the analysis, and said it would be difficult to assess how effective it was. "This data may be difficult to gather, even with an excess of time, as police are unlikely to record the occurrence of 'citizens' arrests', for example." While police would continue monitoring things like rates of shoplifting, "it will not be possible to determine whether any changes in offending rates are attributed to the changes proposed here, due to the many factors that give rise to offending behaviours". The government is also looking at making sentences for a "coward punch" - a single-strike surprise attack on the head or neck - more strict. An Auckland law professor has previously warned it would be easy for people making citizen's arrests to stray into using unreasonable force - including, for example, a deadly punch.
