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Further to Reply 17371 (2026), what was the nature of the administrative error that enabled a fraudulent conversion to be processed after the vulnerability had been closed on 31 October 2025; and what steps have been taken to ensure that the process changes implemented on that date cannot be bypassed through further administrative error? and 2 other questions

Answered 18701, 18704, 18706 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 18701

    Further to Reply 17371 (2026), what was the nature of the administrative error that enabled a fraudulent conversion to be processed after the vulnerability had been closed on 31 October 2025; and what steps have been taken to ensure that the process changes implemented on that date cannot be bypassed through further administrative error?

  • 18704

    Further to Reply 17202 (2026), what was the cause of the administrative error that resulted in 37 overseas licences being converted to a higher class than NZTA rules allow for UAE licences; was this error the result of a systemic issue in NZTA's conversion processes or individual staff error; and what steps have been taken to prevent recurrence?

  • 18706

    Further to Replies 5302, 8825, and 13376 (2026), how does the Minister reconcile the confirmation in Reply 13376 that 37 overseas licences were converted to an incorrect class due to administrative error rather than fraud with the repeated assertion in Replies 5302 and 8825 that no issues were found in the conversion of these licences that related to the duties and processes of NZTA staff?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport

Answer

For context, overseas licence conversion applications are processed by Driver Licensing Agents that are contracted by NZTA, rather than by NZTA staff. These agents are required to apply NZTA’s business rules for licence conversions and to refer specified applications to NZTA where required. The administrative error involved an overseas licence being converted to a higher New Zealand licence class than NZTA rules allow for UAE licences and the interim requirement to refer applications to NZTA before processing not being followed. In response, NZTA reinforced its requirements around the control it had put in place to reduce the risk of recurrence. This included reminding Driver Licensing Agents of their contractual obligation to strictly apply the business rules set out in the NZTA Agent Portal.