A former Ministry of Transport manager has been charged with fraud involving more than $700,000.
Joanne Harrison, a general manager at the ministry between April 2011 and this year, was arrested at Auckland International Airport when she arrived back in New Zealand on Friday.
Her role involved internal communications, administration and ministerial support.
An internal investigation by the ministry uncovered suspicious payments and the matter was referred to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
An SFO spokesperson said $726,000 was paid to entities associated with Ms Harrison.
She was now facing three charges of dishonestly using a document. She was yet to enter a plea, and was due back in court later this month.