New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has called for severe consequences for public servants found to have misled ministers over Immigration New Zealand's failed biometrics technology project, saying those responsible should not only lose their jobs but face prison.
The comments follow revelations from Immigration Minister Erica Stanford that officials had deliberately withheld information from ministers across both the current and previous governments regarding a technology upgrade that ultimately cost taxpayers more than $30 million.
Peters Calls for Accountability
Speaking to reporters following a select committee appearance on Wednesday, Peters said those responsible for misleading ministers should face the strongest possible sanctions.
"Of course you'd lose your job. They need to be put in prison as well. It's a conspiracy against the people, for goodness' sake."
Peters said he was not surprised by the revelations, claiming he had warned Stanford previously that Immigration New Zealand was the worst-performing government department in the country.
"I'm pleased they've been found out, and now they're going to be straightened out, because they've simply been lying to Parliamentarians and lying to the taxpayers of this country."
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Stanford Stops Short of Supporting Prison Calls
Responding to Peters' remarks, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford declined to support the call for imprisonment.
"That's not something that I would say, but it is really important that the public service commissioner does a full investigation."
Stanford announced earlier this week that an independent review had found officials deliberately withheld information from ministers and used what she described as "creative accounting" practices to avoid scrutiny of the troubled project.
Peters said the loss of more than $30 million was particularly frustrating given the pressure many New Zealand families are facing.
He also questioned why it had taken so long for problems to be identified and raised concerns about the effectiveness of ministerial oversight.
Nicola Willis: "Do Not Cover Up Bad News"
Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Finance Minister Nicola Willis also weighed in on the controversy, saying accountability was essential if trust in the public service was to be maintained.
"The message I want everyone in the public service to hear is: do not cover up bad news, send it up to the minister's desk, so that we can take the right decisions on behalf of New Zealanders."
"When you cover your own butt, you're actually putting New Zealand taxpayers at risk."
Willis stressed that her experience with the wider public service had generally been positive and that most public servants acted with integrity.
"My experience is that most public servants come to work each day with high levels of integrity, wanting to do a good job on behalf of their fellow New Zealanders, but clearly, in this instance, they fell very short."
Investigation Underway
Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche and Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith were also questioned about the matter during a scrutiny hearing.
Roche declined to speculate on possible criminal consequences, saying any investigation must first establish the facts.
"The courts determine who goes to prison."
"At this point, let's get the investigation done, and whatever flows from that will flow."
He indicated that decisions regarding any disciplinary action would depend on the findings of the investigation and said he did not currently believe police involvement was warranted.
Roche also confirmed that the senior officials involved in the failed biometrics project were no longer involved with the programme, although he said he was still determining whether they remained employed within the wider public service.
A Growing Political Issue
The Immigration New Zealand biometrics project has rapidly become one of the most significant public sector accountability issues facing the government.
With more than $30 million spent, allegations of withheld information, and a formal investigation now underway, pressure is mounting on officials and ministers alike to explain how the project was allowed to continue for so long without intervention.
The findings of the Public Service Commissioner's investigation are expected to play a key role in determining what consequences, if any, follow for those involved.
Source: RNZ Political Reporter Lillian Hanly, 17 June 2026.