NZ Immigration System Delays Biometric Capability Upgrade by Six Months

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has delayed the launch of its much-anticipated Biometric Capability Upgrade (BCU), pushing the implementation back by six months to April 2024. The delay is expected to increase the overall cost of the project by an additional NZ$1.3 million (US$788,400), bringing the total cost to NZ$35 million (US$21.2 million).

The NZ immigration system is undergoing significant changes, with the BCU set to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of biometric checks, such as photo matching, for travelers entering New Zealand. Currently, approximately 15 percent of these checks require manual processing due to system limitations. The upgrade aims to automate these tasks, ensuring faster and more reliable identification.

INZ spokesperson Michael Alp explained the reasons for the delay during an interview with Radio New Zealand. He cited the need to fix lingering bugs discovered during testing and the challenges posed by the upcoming busy summer season for visa processing. “As we get into November, it’s peak season, and we wanted to ensure that the system was operating properly. We didn’t want to be forced into a situation where we had unresolved issues and then had to go live shortly after,” Alp said.

The BCU involves several key players, including NEC New Zealand, the lead vendor, and Datacom, which provides system support services. Argonaut is responsible for the Secure Real-Time Platform (SRTP), which facilitates data-sharing between New Zealand and other countries.

An independent review warned the government earlier this year that the project would not meet its original timeline. The costs of the Biometric Capability Upgrade have also risen significantly over the years, from an initial budget of NZ$19.5 million (US$11.8 million) to NZ$35 million. Immigration New Zealand has indicated that further increases could bring the total cost up to NZ$40 million (US$24.2 million).

In addition to the upgrade, New Zealand’s current ID system, IDme, is set to be retired next year. Authorities also plan to phase out parts of the Immigration Global Management System that handle identity matching and upgrade NEC’s identity engine to take over this functionality.

Despite the delays, INZ is confident that the NZ immigration system will benefit significantly from the improvements made by the Biometric Capability Upgrade, which will modernize and streamline identity verification processes for both travelers and visa authorities.