Parliament has passed the first reading of legislation to address what the Government says are match-fixing risks when New Zealand hosts international sporting events.
The FIFA Under-20 football World Cup and some Cricket World Cup matches will be staged in the country next year.
Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully said match-fixing is a growing problem internationally, and New Zealand is not immune to the threat.
The legislation makes match-fixing a form of deception under the Crimes Act. Offenders would be liable to a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
There was unanimous support for the bill's first reading on Thursday and it will be sent to a select committee in the next Parliament for consideration.
The House is sitting under extended hours to progress legislation before it adjourns on Thursday night before the general election on 20 September.
