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Police hope that the arrest of a former Inland Revenue employee charged with corruption will encourage ethnic communities to approach police if they have concerns about crime.

A 32-year-old man, no longer working for Inland Revenue, appears in the Wellington District Court today charged with corruption.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrin Thomson, Wellington Police District Metro Crime Unit, said the charge is the result of a complaint made in early July after a Chinese business couple approached police through their lawyer.

The couple's concerns were investigated. A man was arrested and appeared in the Wellington District court on 9 July initially facing a charge of demanding with intent to steal.

Approval to lay a charge of corruption under Section 105 of the Crimes Act 1961 was then sought and obtained from the Solicitor General.

"Police have worked closely with Inland Revenue throughout this investigation," Detective Senior Sergeant Thomson said. "It is a good example of inter-agency cooperation.

"Police also hope that this investigation will encourage members of the Asian community, or any other ethnic group, to be confident about coming to police if they are worried they may be a victim of crime."