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.

A former North Island mayor has applied for the High Court to dismiss some of the charges he is facing in a Serious Fraud Office case.

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.

The Serious Fraud Office has laid charges against financial adviser David Ross, who is alleged to have operated a $400 million Ponzi scheme.

The former Lombard directors, including Sir Douglas Graham, are heading to the Supreme Court over their convictions for making false statements in a prospectus.

Belgrave Finance director Stephen Smith has been sentenced to four years in jail.

The former director and owner of an Auckland media agency is facing 23 deception and dishonesty charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office.

A Remuera businesswoman allegedly headed a $9.2 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved her siblings, friends and eleven Auckland properties.

Two women and five men have been charged this morning over an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving over $9 million.

Former Dominion Finance chief executive Paul William Cropp has been sentenced to two years and seven months in prison.

Dominion Finance director Robert Barry Whale has this morning pleaded guilty and been convicted on separate charges of misleading investors.

Suggestions the FMA knew about David Ross long before his business was raided were "crap", says Sean Hughes.

The Serious Fraud Office wants tougher penalties for people found guilty of corruption in the private sector.