17215 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

17215 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Further to Reply 13377 (2026), (a) what controls, if any, were in place between February 2025 and November 2025 to prevent further fraudulent overseas licence conversions following the initial detection; (b) what was the reason for the approximately nine-month period between detection and the point at which interim controls took effect in November 2025; and (c) who within NZTA was responsible for determining the timing of the introduction of those interim controls?

Hon Chris Bishop: I am advised that a range of controls are in place to mitigate the risk of fraudulent conversions, which are regularly reviewed and improved. During the period in question, NZTA updated its processes and evidence of validity requirements for overseas licence conversions and issued improved guidance to frontline staff responsible for accepting and processing applications to support the identification of suspected fraud. The reason for the period between identification of potential risk and the point at which interim controls took effect was due to the actions required to confirm there was an issue and form a regulatory response. NZTA further advises met that the overseas licence conversions are processed by approved NZTA’s Front Counter Agent. The Chief Customer and Services Officer, Head of Operational Delivery has accountability for management of the contracts for these services.