Peter Scutts, the former chief executive of New Zealand Wine Co, is facing charges over $64,000 in alleged kick-back payments.

David Ross had the outward appearance of a successful businessman - he lived in a $2.2 million home, owned expensive paintings, drove a Mercedes, and told clients he holidayed around the world.

An Auckland businesswoman alleged to be at the centre of a $9.2 million mortgage ramping scheme involving her siblings and friends has pleaded not guilty to 26 charges.

Wellington financial adviser David Ross pleads guilty to charges relating to running a Ponzi scheme.

Five Star founder Neill Williams has had 17 months added to his jail sentence for what prosecutors called "very cynical fraud".

Auckland Transport has called on external investigators to guide its inquiry into corruption claims and has stood down a senior manager on indefinite leave.

A lawyer struck off over accusations of stealing nearly $3 million from clients has had 33 criminal charges laid against him.

A 42-year-old foreign exchange trader has pleaded guilty to stealing from investors that included his family and friends.

Shares in Wynyard Group gained ground after the intelligence software developer signed up the Serious Fraud Office as its latest customer for an undisclosed sum.

Serious Fraud Office investigation and prosecution numbers have dropped by about a quarter but its boss warns that is no indication there is less white collar crime.

Diplomats and ministers are grappling with thorny issues as they work to secure New Zealand a seat on the UN Security Council for 2015-16.

An Auckland businesswoman accused over a $9.2 million mortgage ramping scheme is expected to enter a plea at her next appearance.

David Ross appeared briefly in the Wellington District Court this morning, where hearings were adjourned to August 22.

More than half a decade after authorities began probing the failed Five Star Group, founder Neill Williams has pleaded guilty to the last of the charges he faced.

Five Star founder Neill Williams - the so-called "puppeteer" at the failed finance group - has changed his plea to guilty, just four days into his trial.

The last men standing from Dominion Finance have now pleaded guilty but could still face further court action if authorities continue with their civil case against the firm's directors and seek penalties of up to $500,000 from each of them.

Dominion Finance and North South Finance directors Rick Bettle and Vance Arkinstall have pleaded guilty to five Securities Act charges in the High Court.

The elderly accountant - who has been declared bankrupt twice since age 60 - was sentenced to three years, seven months in jail earlier this year.

The High Court hears bankrupt accountant Neill Williams knowingly participated "in the misappropriation of investor funds".

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper says he's shattered by news the Taupo District Council is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office.

A Chinese exporter made secret payments to managers of a New Zealand dairy-processing company that ordered products from the foreign firm, according to court documents.

Former Dominion Finance directors Robert Barry Whale and Ann Butler have both been sentenced to terms of home detention in the High Court in Auckland today.

David Ross' out-of-pocket investors expressed relief when the alleged Ponzi-schemer was arrested and charged yesterday, but he was bailed back to his luxury home.