Murray McCully said he was was not aware of the ICC probe affecting Kiwi players until the story broke in the media. Photo / NZ Herald
Agreement likely after talks with ICC over corruption ahead of 2015 World Cup
New Zealand police have held talks with the International Cricket Council to sign a formal information-sharing agreement before the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
The move would follow a similar memorandum of understanding signed between the ICC and the Australian Federal Police in August.
The Herald understands that New Zealand police discussions with the ICC are ongoing.
The ICC anti-corruption unit met police and cricket World Cup organisers in Wellington in August to discuss cricket corruption ahead of competition planning.
The ICC and Cricket New Zealand were consulted this year for a government report into corruption in New Zealand sport.
The Sport New Zealand report, released on November 29 - the week before the Herald broke the story of an investigation into match-fixing allegations - stated that "there is no evidence of match-fixing activity currently associated with New Zealand sport".
Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully said he had not been personally aware of the ICC investigation affecting Kiwi players until the story broke in the media.
This week, police were still "considering signing an understanding" similar to that signed with the Australians, a police spokesman said.
Following Herald inquiries, the Australian Federal Police confirmed their sharing agreement, which has not previously been reported in Australian media.
"A memorandum of understanding was signed with the ICC on Tuesday, August 27, which we believe will further strengthen our ability to collaborate," a spokesman said. Similar agreements were signed "with many non-government and industry partners ... particularly with respect to information exchange", he said.
University of Auckland associate law professor Ken Palmer said a memorandum of understanding was basically a formalised "good faith" arrangement between agencies.
Without knowing specifics, he said, "it's probably some sort of neutral understanding where the parties can feed information both ways".
The next Cricket World Cup will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2015. The previous World Cup was hosted by India in 2011.