Officials found to have deliberately misled MPs about failed IT project

Wednesday 26 August 2026 · 6 outlets · 4 reports · updated Wed 26 Aug, 12:20pm

In this story Erica Stanford, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Privileges Committee, Nic Blakeley

Parliament's Privileges Committee has ruled that MBIE officials committed contempt by deliberately misleading MPs regarding the failed Immigration Capability Biometric Upgrade project. While the committee found the officials' incomplete answers created a false impression, it did not recommend further sanctions for the leadership involved.

How they headlined it

10:27am12:20pm

1. NZ HeraldWed 26 Aug, 10:27am

   Officials deliberately misled MPs over failing immigration IT project, Parliament committee rules (opens in new tab)

2. StuffWed 26 Aug, 11:19am

   Privileges Committee finds MBIE officials deliberately misled Parliament, committed contempt (opens in new tab)

3. The Press via RNZWed 26 Aug, 11:29am

   Top officials found in contempt by Parliament for 'misleading' MPs about bungled IT project (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZWed 26 Aug, 12:20pm

   Officials 'an insult to the Public Service' for 'misleading' MPs (opens in new tab)