Police falsified breath tests investigation

The story so far

About 120 police officers face disciplinary processes after around 30,000 alcohol breath tests were recorded falsely or erroneously.^{31 Oct 2025; 4 Nov 2025} A new data analysis algorithm identified the discrepancies, and police said staff were not under pressure to meet targets and would not review how those targets are applied.^{3 Nov 2025} Over 100 staff are under investigation, criminal investigations have not been ruled out, and none of those staff have been stood down.^{4 Nov 2025} In November, all New Zealand police were ordered to complete online alcohol breath testing training. A small number of officers were stood down for additional misconduct, but police said no cases are being treated as criminal offending.^{6, 20 Nov 2025} In December, the New Zealand Transport Agency suspended $6 million in funding to police until breath test targets are met, citing reports that about 130 staff are under investigation.^{4 Dec 2025}

Latest

The New Zealand Transport Agency has commissioned an independent analysis to determine how many breath tests were falsely or erroneously recorded.^{24 Dec 2025}

What's next

The independent analysis will establish the extent of the falsely or erroneously recorded breath tests.^{24 Dec 2025}

Key moments

1. 31 Oct 2025About 120 officers face disciplinary processes over 30,000 breath tests.
2. 3 Nov 2025A new algorithm identified the falsified or erroneous breath test records.
3. 4 Nov 2025Police say criminal investigations have not been ruled out.
4. 6 Nov 2025All officers ordered to complete mandatory breath testing training.
5. 20 Nov 2025A small number of officers stood down for additional misconduct.
6. 4 Dec 2025NZTA suspends $6 million police funding until breath test targets met.
7. 24 Dec 2025NZTA commissions independent analysis into the scale of recording problems.

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