Immigration IT project costs rise by $6 million

Wednesday 29 July 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Wed 29 Jul, 4:02pm

In this story Erica Stanford, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has revealed that the failed Immigration Biometric Upgrade project cost an additional $6 million beyond the initial $33 million estimate. The seven-year project was scrapped last year after failing user testing. An independent audit has been ordered to determine the total expenditure.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldWed 29 Jul, 2:51pm

   Minister Erica Stanford reveals $6m more wasted on immigration IT project, ministry unsure of total cost (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsWed 29 Jul, 3:32pm

   The missing $6m: 'More and more unravels' in botched MBIE project (opens in new tab)

3. StuffWed 29 Jul, 4:02pm

   Failed $33m border security project actually cost nearly $40m (opens in new tab)