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Immigration Minister Accuses Officials of Hiding Failing Biometric Project

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford accused senior officials of deliberately concealing a failing biometric project from Cabinet.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said officials in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment misled her and previous ministers about the project's viability.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters called for the officials to be dismissed and imprisoned for the deception.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford warned that the conduct undermines public confidence in the government.

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Story summary

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford accused senior officials of deliberately concealing a failing biometric project from Cabinet.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said officials in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment misled her and previous ministers about the project's viability.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters called for the officials to be dismissed and imprisoned for the deception.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford warned that the conduct undermines public confidence in the government.