MBIE immigration IT project failure

The story so far

The Immigration Biometric Upgrade project ran for seven years before it was scrapped after failing user testing.^{29 Jul} Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said it cost $6 million more than the initial $33 million estimate, and an independent audit was ordered to determine the total spend.^{29 Jul} Parliament's Privileges Committee ruled that MBIE officials committed contempt by deliberately misleading MPs about the project, finding their incomplete answers created a false impression.^{26 Aug} The committee did not recommend further sanctions for the leadership involved.^{26 Aug} Labour said MBIE chief executive Nic Blakeley's position was untenable, and he reportedly offered to resign but the offer was refused.^{1 Sep}

Latest

Blakeley told a select committee the abandoned project has cost taxpayers $50.7 million.^{23 Sep} He could not guarantee the costs would not rise further while the ministry reviews its financial controls.^{23 Sep}

Key moments

1. 29 JulMinister reveals project cost $6 million over its $33 million estimate; audit ordered.
2. 26 AugPrivileges Committee finds MBIE officials deliberately misled MPs, committing contempt.
3. 1 SepLabour says chief executive's position is untenable; his resignation offer reportedly refused.
4. 23 SepMBIE confirms the abandoned project has cost $50.7 million, with possible further rises.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.