New Zealand Orders Audit of Biometric Capability Upgrade Project

The New Zealand Government has ordered an independent financial audit of the Biometric Capability Upgrade (BCU) project after the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) identified additional costs. The seven‑year BCU project, terminated in December 2025, was originally reported to have $33 million in write‑off costs. A review revealed a further $6 million of unaccounted expenditure, raising concerns about possible “creative accounting” to keep the total below the $35 million scrutiny threshold.

Immigration Minister Hon Erica Stanford, in consultation with Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, referred the matter to the ongoing Michael Heron inquiry and the Public Service Commissioner to assess whether the inquiry’s scope should be expanded. The audit aims to determine the full extent of spending and to address broader questions about MBIE’s financial controls.