Appendix 1: Tables of tertiary education institution survey data

Summary of our fraud survey results for tertiary education institutions.

Tertiary education institutions were within our central government sector, which was made up of 11 different entity types. The other 10 entity types were government departments, Crown agents or companies, autonomous Crown entities, independent Crown entities, central government – other, Māori Trust Boards, Rural Education Activities Programmes, Crown research institutes, district health boards, and State-owned enterprises.

These 11 entity types made up 45% of the total number of respondents from all public entities. Other respondents were working in schools (32.7%) and local government entities (22.3%).

The tertiary education institution respondents represented 6% of the total respondents. The following graphs and tables compare the tertiary education institution results with the wider central government sector and the public sector overall.

We have rounded the percentages to the nearest whole number, so the percentages may not always add to 100.

1: My organisation has a Fraud Policy.

Graph of 1: My organisation has a Fraud Policy.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 80 88% 1 1% 10 11% 91
Central government 539 83% 38 6% 69 11% 646
All public entities 1143 79% 135 9% 169 12% 1447

2: The Fraud Policy is communicated regularly (annually or biannually).

Graph of 2: The Fraud Policy is communicated regularly (annually or biannually).
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 61 76% 14 18% 5 6% 80
Central government 338 63% 140 26% 59 11% 537
All public entities 735 64% 295 26% 113 10% 1143

3: My organisation has a staff Code of Conduct.

Graph of 3: My organisation has a staff Code of Conduct.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 83 91% 6 7% 2 2% 91
Central government 611 95% 22 3% 10 2% 643
All public entities 1321 92% 86 6% 35 2% 1442

4: The staff Code of Conduct is communicated regularly (annually or biannually).

Graph of 4: The staff Code of Conduct is communicated regularly (annually or biannually).
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 56 67% 19 23% 8 10% 83
Central government 413 68% 143 23% 54 9% 610
All public entities 921 70% 286 22% 115 9% 1322

5: My organisation has a clear policy on accepting gifts or services.

Graph of 5: My organisation has a clear policy on accepting gifts or services.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 77 85% 4 4% 10 11% 91
Central government 579 90% 33 5% 30 5% 642
All public entities 1025 71% 266 18% 149 10% 1440

6: Receiving gifts, free or heavily discounted services or preferential treatment because of my role in my organisation is …

Graph of 6: Receiving gifts, free or heavily discounted services or preferential treatment because of my role in my organisation is ...

Note: The "right" answer to this question is a response that is in keeping with the entity's gifts policy.

7: My organisation has designated a person who is responsible for fraud risks, including investigation.

Graph of 7: My organisation has designated a person who is responsible for fraud risks, including investigation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 73 80% 3 3% 15 16% 91
Central government 472 74% 73 11% 95 15% 640
All public entities 971 68% 258 18% 206 14% 1435

8: I am confident that managers in my organisation understand their responsibilities for preventing and detecting the risks of fraud and corruption.

Graph of 8: I am confident that managers in my organisation understand their responsibilities for preventing and detecting the risks of fraud and corruption.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 76 84% 11 12% 4 4% 91
Central government 565 88% 41 6% 34 5% 640
All public entities 1282 89% 80 6% 72 5% 1434

9: I am confident that other employees understand their responsibilities for preventing and detecting the risks of fraud and corruption.

Graph of 9: I am confident that other employees understand their responsibilities for preventing and detecting the risks of fraud and corruption.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 53 58% 19 21% 19 21% 91
Central government 447 70% 90 14% 103 16% 640
All public entities 1049 73% 181 13% 204 14% 1434

10: My organisation reviews its fraud controls on a regular basis (annually or biannually).

Graph of 10: My organisation reviews its fraud controls on a regular basis (annually or biannually).
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 72 79% 2 2% 17 19% 91
Central government 449 70% 43 7% 147 23% 639
All public entities 960 67% 178 12% 295 21% 1433

11: My organisation takes a proactive approach to preventing fraud and corruption.

Graph of 11: My organisation takes a proactive approach to preventing fraud and corruption.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 68 75% 10 11% 13 14% 91
Central government 494 77% 61 10% 83 13% 638
All public entities 1105 77% 164 11% 162 11% 1431

12: New employees at my organisation undergo pre-employment screening that includes criminal history checks.

Graph of 12: New employees at my organisation undergo pre-employment screening that includes criminal history checks.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 45 49% 22 24% 24 26% 91
Central government 394 62% 148 23% 96 15% 638
All public entities 1016 71% 251 18% 164 11% 1431

13: I have had fraud awareness training at my current organisation.

Graph of 13: I have had fraud awareness training at my current organisation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 35 38% 55 60% 1 1% 91
Central government 169 26% 452 71% 17 3% 638
All public entities 338 24% 1057 74% 36 3% 1431

14: The fraud awareness training that I received at my current organisation was …

Graph of 14: The fraud awareness training that I received at my current organisation was ...

15: My organisation carries out due diligence on new suppliers, including credit checks and checks for conflicts of interest.

Graph of 15: My organisation carries out due diligence on new suppliers, including credit checks and checks for conflicts of interest.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 51 56% 14 15% 26 29% 91
Central government 328 51% 114 18% 196 31% 638
All public entities 680 48% 366 26% 385 27% 1431

16: My organisation encourages staff to come forward if they see or suspect fraud or corruption.

Graph of 16: My organisation encourages staff to come forward if they see or suspect fraud or corruption.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 79 87% 7 8% 5 5% 91
Central government 556 87% 36 6% 45 7% 637
All public entities 1258 88% 72 5% 100 7% 1430

17: The culture at my organisation is such that I would be willing to raise any concerns that I may have regarding fraud or corruption and I know that my concerns will be taken seriously and I would not suffer any retaliation.

Graph of 17: The culture at my organisation is such that I would be willing to raise any concerns that I may have regarding fraud or corruption and I know that my concerns will be taken seriously and I would not suffer any retaliation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 82 90% 4 4% 5 5% 91
Central government 604 95% 12 2% 21 3% 637
All public entities 1357 95% 21 1% 50 4% 1428

18: My organisation has a Protected Disclosures Policy (or similar).

Graph of 18: My organisation has a Protected Disclosures Policy (or similar).
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 75 82% 2 2% 14 15% 91
Central government 475 75% 38 6% 124 19% 637
All public entities 1017 71% 114 8% 297 21% 1428

19: There is a whistleblower hotline at my organisation.

Graph of 19: There is a whistleblower hotline at my organisation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 22 24% 53 58% 16 18% 91
Central government 93 15% 438 69% 106 17% 637
All public entities 166 12% 1067 75% 195 14% 1428

20: When fraud or corruption risks are raised at my organisation, my organisation takes proactive steps to reduce the risk.

Graph of 20: When fraud or corruption risks are raised at my organisation, my organisation takes proactive steps to reduce the risk.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 87 96% 0 0% 4 4% 91
Central government 595 94% 5 1% 36 6% 636
All public entities 1236 87% 10 1% 182 13% 1428

21: Credit card expenditure is closely monitored.

graph of 21: Credit card expenditure is closely monitored.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 87 96% 0 - 4 4% 91
Central government 595 94% 5 1% 36 6% 636
All public entities 1280 90% 46 3% 100 7% 1426

22: Staff expenses are closely monitored.

Graph of 22: Staff expenses are closely monitored.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 86 95% 1 1% 4 4% 91
Central government 616 97% 7 1% 13 2% 636
All public entities 1381 97% 15 1% 30 2% 1426

23: Should a fraud or corruption incident occur at my organisation, the investigation is conducted by ...

Graph of 23: Should a fraud or corruption incident occur at my organisation, the investigation is conducted by ...

24: Management communicates incidents of fraud to all staff at my organisation.

Graph of 24: Management communicates incidents of fraud to all staff at my organisation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 12 13% 49 54% 30 33% 91
Central government 175 28% 259 41% 202 32% 636
All public entities 416 29% 546 38% 464 33% 1426

25: I am aware of fraud or corruption incidents in the last two years that have gone unreported by my organisation.

Graph of 25: I am aware of fraud or corruption incidents in the last two years that have gone unreported by my organisation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 2 2% 83 91% 6 7% 91
Central government 11 2% 590 93% 35 6% 636
All public entities 22 2% 1345 94% 59 4% 1426

26: I am aware of fraud or corruption incidents in the last two years that have been reported but gone unpunished by my organisation.

Graph of 26: I am aware of fraud or corruption incidents in the last two years that have been reported but gone unpunished by my organisation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 3 3% 83 91% 5 5% 91
Central government 10 2% 582 92% 43 7% 635
All public entities 26 2% 1324 93% 75 5% 1425

27: Inappropriate or personal credit card expenditure is taken very seriously and results in disciplinary action.

Graph of 27: Inappropriate or personal credit card expenditure is taken very seriously and results in disciplinary action.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 80 88% 1 1% 10 11% 91
Central government 548 86% 15 2% 72 11% 635
All public entities 1179 83% 47 3% 199 14% 1425

28: Inappropriate expense claims or expense claims for personal purchases are taken very seriously and result in disciplinary action.

Graph of 28: Inappropriate expense claims or expense claims for personal purchases are taken very seriously and result in disciplinary action.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 77 85% 2 2% 12 13% 91
Central government 543 86% 18 3% 74 12% 635
All public entities 1219 86% 37 3% 168 12% 1424

29: I am confident that my organisation will take all reasonable action to recover any money lost through fraud or corruption.

Graph of 29: I am confident that my organisation will take all reasonable action to recover any money lost through fraud or corruption.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 82 90% 4 4% 5 5% 91
Central government 580 91% 9 1% 46 7% 635
All public entities 1319 93% 18 1% 87 6% 1424

30: I am confident that incidents of fraud and corruption that occur at my organisation will be reported to the Police.

Graph of 30: I am confident that incidents of fraud and corruption that occur at my organisation will be reported to the Police.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 67 74% 7 8% 17 19% 91
Central government 485 76% 32 5% 118 19% 635
All public entities 1115 78% 75 5% 234 16% 1424

31: Internal controls are reviewed as part of every fraud investigation.

graph of 31: Internal controls are reviewed as part of every fraud investigation.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 70 77% 0 - 21 23% 91
Central government 438 69% 8 1% 189 30% 635
All public entities 1005 71% 29 2% 390 27% 1424

32: How many incidents of fraud or corruption are you aware of at your organisation in the last two years?

Graph of 32: How many incidents of fraud or corruption are you aware of at your organisation in the last two years?
No instances 1 or more Total
Tertiary education institutions 57 63% 33 37% 90
Central government 454 72% 180 28% 634
All public entities 1102 77% 320 23% 1422

33: What is the total dollar amount of all incidents of fraud and corruption that you are aware have occurred at your organisation within the last two years?

Graph of 33: What is the total dollar amount of all incidents of fraud and corruption that you are aware have occurred at your organisation within the last two years?
Less than $10,000 $10,001 - $100,000 More than $100,000 Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 24 73% 4 12% 0 - 5 15% 33
Central government 100 56% 28 16% 15 8% 37 20% 180
All public entities 199 62% 45 14% 17 5% 59 19% 320

34: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, the main perpetrator(s) was ...

Graph 34: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, the main perpetrator(s) was ...
Internal (within the organisation) External (outside the organisation) A combination of external and internal (i.e. collusion) Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 29 88% 2 6% 2 6% 0 - 33
Central government 141 78% 23 13% 12 7% 4 2% 180
All public entities 255 80% 34 11% 24 7% 7 2% 320

35: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of and that involved internal parties, the main perpetrator(s) was ...

Graph of 35: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of and that involved internal parties, the main perpetrator(s) was ...
Tertiary education institutions Central government All public entities
No. % No. % No. %
Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director/Principal 1 3% 4 2% 8 3%
Member of the senior executive/leadership team or equivalent 0 - 3 2% 7 2%
Line manager 3 9% 19 11% 36 11%
Admin support services 12 36% 46 25% 71 22%
Operational staff 12 36% 83 46% 148 46%
Other 5 15% 25 14% 50 16%
Total 33 180 320

Note: Some respondents might have found it hard to reconcile these generic role descriptions with equivalent roles in tertiary education institutions, so we advise caution in interpreting these figures.

36: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, what type was committed?

Tertiary education institutions Central government All public entities
No. % No. % No. %
Theft of cash 14 38% 37 17% 85 21%
Theft of plant and equipment 2 5% 13 6% 35 9%
Theft of inventory 0 - 14 6% 33 8%
Theft of intellectual property 0 - 4 2% 6 1%
Identity crime 1 3% 7 3% 7 2%
Fraudulent expense claim 6 16% 38 17% 55 14%
Fraudulent misuse of a credit card 1 3% 23 10% 31 8%
Fraudulent misuse of a fuel card 2 5% 9 4% 17 4%
False invoicing 4 11% 23 10% 34 8%
Payroll fraud 2 5% 20 9% 38 9%
Supplying false credentials 2 5% 6 3% 7 2%
False claim for benefit 0 - 2 1% 2 0%
Financial statement fraud (overstatements) 0 - 0 - 2 0%
Financial statement fraud (understatements) 0 - 0 - 1 0%
Conflicts of interest 1 3% 17 8% 27 7%
Provide false information or fraudulent alteration of documents 1 3% 3 1% 9 2%
Don't know 1 3% 5 2% 13 3%
Total 37 221 402

Notes:

Theft of plant and equipment – such as computers, personal items.
Theft of intellectual property – such as confidential information/business information.
Identity crime – either misusing another person's identity or using a false identity.
False invoicing – either internally or externally created.
Payroll fraud – such as falsifying electronic or physical documents such as timesheets, annual leave returns, student numbers, payroll forms.
Supplying false credentials – such as a false CV.
False claim for benefit – such as ACC, Housing.
Conflicts of interest – such as paying or receiving backhanders, receiving undeclared gifts or services to influence decision-making or in return for preferential treatment.

37: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, how was it detected?

Tertiary education institutions Central government All public entities
No. % No. % No. %
Whistle blowing system 1 3% 10 4% 12 3%
Internal tip-off 9 25% 46 20% 80 20%
External tip-off 6 17% 20 9% 40 10%
Change of duties/ personnel 1 3% 11 5% 17 4%
Accident (i.e. luck) 2 6% 9 4% 17 4%
Internal control systems 14 39% 84 37% 144 36%
Internal audit 1 3% 20 9% 41 10%
External audit 1 3% 2 1% 3 1%
Fraud detection system 0 - 9 4% 15 4%
Don't know 1 3% 14 6% 26 7%
Total 36 225 395

38: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, what was the estimated dollar amount involved?

Tertiary education institutions Central government All public entities
No. % No. % No. %
No monetary loss 6 18% 26 14% 48 15%
Less than $1,000 8 24% 54 30% 104 33%
Between $1,000 and $10,000 13 39% 50 28% 90 28%
Between $10,001 and $50,000 1 3% 9 5% 16 5%
Between $50,001 and $100,000 1 3% 4 2% 7 2%
Between $100,001 and $500,000 0 - 7 4% 7 2%
More than $500,000 0 - 2 1% 3 1%
Don't know 4 12% 28 16% 44 14%
Total 33 180 319

39: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, what was the main reason that enabled it to occur?

Tertiary education institutions Central government All public entities
No. % No. % No. %
Inadequate internal control policies and procedures 5 15% 14 8% 26 8%
Internal control policies and procedures not followed 9 27% 59 33% 85 27%
Poor segregation of duties 4 12% 6 3% 10 3%
Easy access to cash 3 9% 7 4% 19 6%
Management override of controls 0 - 7 4% 15 5%
It was a new type of fraud that our organisation was unprepared for 3 9% 4 2% 12 4%
Person didn't think they would get caught 8 24% 68 39% 127 40%
Don't know 1 3% 12 7% 22 7%
Total 33 177 316

40: In the most recent incident of fraud or corruption within your organisation that you are aware of, what action was taken against the perpetrator(s)?

Tertiary education institutions Central government All public entities
No. % No. % No. %
No action was taken 1 3% 5 3% 14 5%
Insufficient evidence or culprit not identified 4 12% 7 4% 10 3%
Decision/action pending 1 3% 10 6% 15 5%
Allowed to resign and not reported to relevant authorities 6 18% 20 11% 35 11%
Allowed to resign but reported to relevant authorities 3 9% 14 8% 23 7%
Disciplined without any report to relevant authorities 4 12% 16 9% 40 13%
Disciplined and reported to relevant authorities 3 9% 13 7% 19 6%
Dismissed without any report to relevant authorities 3 9% 21 12% 44 14%
Dismissed and reported to relevant authorities 7 21% 45 26% 81 26%
Don't know 1 3% 23 13% 30 10%
Total 33 174 311

41: I feel secure in my job.

Graph of answers to Question 41: I feel secure in my job.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 83 92% 6 7% 1 1% 90
Central government 577 91% 34 5% 22 3% 633
All public entities 1341 94% 46 3% 33 2% 1420

42: Budgetary constraints mean that my team has to achieve higher targets with fewer resources.

Graph of answers to Question 42: Budgetary constraints mean that my team has to achieve higher targets with fewer resources.
Yes No Don't know Total
Tertiary education institutions 69 77% 18 20% 3 3% 90
Central government 465 73% 150 24% 18 3% 633
All public entities 943 66% 423 30% 54 4% 1420
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