Our core functions

Our work gives Parliament and the public an independent view of how public organisations are operating...

Auditors check that government departments' spending is in keeping with what Parliament authorised. It's an important part of the nation's democratic arrangements...
Quick links

Meet our leadership team (the Auditor-General, the Deputy, and seven Assistant Auditors-General) and our team of sector managers (the contact people for select committees and the organisations we audit).

We have the power to inquire into concerns about the use of public money. This work is discretionary. We receive many inquiry requests and choose carefully which ones to investigate.
Please note that we can't help with individual complaints or overturn decisions that public organisations make.
Structure, corporate documents, and vacancies
The Auditor-General has two business units – the Office of the Auditor-General (this site) and Audit New Zealand (auditnz.parliament.nz). Find out more about how we organise ourselves to carry out our many roles and functions...
Each year we produce an annual plan and an annual report. We've also set out our strategic intentions, and we publish occasional reviews of our Office and our work...
What we stand for
Our independence is critical
We understand that protecting our independence, real and perceived, is vital to our work. We watch for potential conflicts of interest and manage them transparently. We carry out our work in a way that earns the trust of both partners to te Tiriti o Waitangi. We work in a way that upholds the Office's credibility and reputation.
People matter
We care for our own and each other’s well-being. We are committed to empowering and developing our people. We show respect, foster a culture of belonging, and value diversity. We support one another to respect tikanga Māori.
We act with integrity and courage
We are open, honest, and fair in everything we do. We role-model the standards and behaviours we expect of others. We speak up and do the right thing, even when it is hard. We take responsibility for delivering high-quality work. We listen, speak, and act in a way that preserves mana.
We're here to make a difference
We are clear on what we are trying to achieve and purposeful in how we go about it. We bring our best to the table to achieve exceptional outcomes together. We aim for our work to be relevant to iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori. We aspire to continually improve and adapt to the changing needs and expectations of New Zealanders.