Our response to project findings

How MBIE is responding

MBIE is taking a coordinated approach to improving accountability, financial management, project oversight, transparency and culture across the organisation. This includes immediate reviews and longer-term changes to systems and ways of working. Independent assurance and regular public reporting will help track progress and hold MBIE accountable.

What MBIE is doing now

MBIE’s immediate actions are:

• supporting the Public Service Commission inquiry into the issues raised by the independent review
• reviewing current technology projects to confirm that appropriate governance, assurance and reporting are in place
• improving MBIE’s technology investment and governance systems, supported by independent assurance
• supporting the Public Service Commission’s assurance review of the multi-year Our Future Services programme
• strengthening information management to improve oversight, coordination and consistency across inquiry and review material and official information releases
• supporting independent financial scrutiny of Biometric Capability Update costs and strengthening financial controls, planning, data, governance and staff capability across MBIE.

MBIE is also undertaking wider work in 4 areas:

• Culture: setting clearer expectations for leaders and making it easier for staff to speak up.
• Transparency: publishing clearer information about significant projects and programmes.
• Future identity services: assessing what is needed for a stable and reliable service.
• Financial capability: improving financial information, controls and decision making.

Culture

The review of the Biometric Capability Update project provided an opportunity for MBIE to reflect on and strengthen its organisational culture. This is a specific focus for MBIE leaders. Leaders are expected to model MBIE’s values, listen to different views and act when concerns are raised. Delivery pressure must not override sound advice, integrity or the careful use of public money.

MBIE is working to gain a more in-depth picture of our people’s experiences, strengthen trust and create more opportunities for people to be heard and contribute to how its culture evolves. The work aims to ensure MBIE’s values are reflected more consistently in day-to-day behaviour and that feedback leads to meaningful action. MBIE recognises that lasting culture change takes time and will report on its progress.

Stronger ways of working

MBIE is clarifying project roles and responsibilities and bringing the right people and information into decisions earlier. Major projects will have clearer governance, more regular independent checks, stronger financial oversight and more consistent reporting. Leaders will be expected to test assumptions, record key decisions, act on agreed next steps and escalate problems early.

The success of these changes will be demonstrated by the following:

• earlier identification of issues, reducing the risk of delays and extra costs
• better decisions, based on timely and reliable information
• clear accountability, so people know who is responsible for decisions and action
• better value for money, by checking that projects remain achievable and worthwhile
• greater public trust, through clearer reporting about progress, risks and decisions.

Together, these changes will support earlier intervention, stronger delivery discipline and more reliable outcomes for the public.

Transparency

MBIE plans to publish regularly information about its active technology projects, with more detail on significant initiatives. The information will explain each initiative’s purpose, expected outcomes, cost, progress, risks and status.

Updates will explain any changes to cost, timing, scope or expected benefits and what MBIE is doing in response. This will help Ministers, stakeholders and the public to track performance and hold MBIE accountable.

Planning future identity services

MBIE is assessing what Immigration New Zealand will need for a stable, secure and reliable identity service. No final decision has been made, and any proposal will need the required business case, funding and approvals.

Immigration New Zealand’s existing identity service continues to operate while this work is underway.

MBIE’s Projects

See the public view of significant programmes and projects.

Our projects

Stocktake of technology projects

In July 2026, MBIE undertook a rapid review of 70 inflight technology initiatives, including 31 formally governed projects. The review used existing project information to assess whether appropriate governance, assurance, reporting, financial and delivery controls were in place.

No major gaps were found, but some controls were not being applied consistently. MBIE is addressing these issues and will monitor progress through stronger oversight and regular reporting. An independent reviewer checked the review method and validated the findings.

The July stocktake also recorded the status of each initiative using a red, amber or green rating, along with action needed or underway to manage risks and address issues. In August 2026, MBIE produced a new version of this table showing the July and August ratings side by side.

These ratings provide a snapshot of project health. A red rating means action is needed. It does not necessarily mean a project will fail.

Read the Stocktake of Technology Projects report:

Read the Remediation report:

Read the August Project Status update:

Strengthening governance and assurance

MBIE reviewed how it plans, approves and oversees technology investments. The review recommended strengthening oversight of all technology projects, improving skills and processes from planning through to completion, systems that work better together, more consistent data and reporting, and clearer decision-making.

MBIE is implementing an action plan to address these areas. The changes aim to provide a clearer view of project costs and intended benefits, identify risks earlier and give decision makers the information they need to act.

Read the Strengthening governance and assurance processes report: