New Zealand lawyers are among the groups receiving a phishing email which pretends to be sent from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The emails contain malicious software and lawyers are warned not to click on the attachment.

The emails use MBIE branding and currently include "Complaint Case" at the beginning of the subject line. They encourage the recipient to open an attached PDF. When this document is opened, the malicious software is downloaded onto the recipient's computer.

CERT NZ, the government cyber security agency, says the emails were not sent by MBIE and should be deleted.

CERT says anyone who has opened a suspicious email or who has any concerns about an email they have received should report to CERT NZ at www.cert.govt.nz/report