LEGALLY PRIVILEGED
MINISTERIAL BRIEFING NOTE
Subject
[PROACTIVE] Investigation into regulatory services subcontractor
Date
19 June 2025
Briefing number
BRI-3365
Contact(s) for telephone discussion (if required)
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Name
Position
Direct line
Cell phone
1st contact
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Brent Alderton
Director of Land
s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
✓
Transport and Group
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General Manager
Regulatory
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Action taken by Office of the Minister
Noted
Seen by Minister
Agreed
INFORMATION
Feedback provided
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Forwarded to
Needs change [please specify]
Withdrawn
OFFICIAL
Overtaken by events
BRI-3365
19 June 2025
Hon Chris Bishop – Minister of Transport
[PROACTIVE] Investigation into regulatory services subcontractor
Purpose
1. This briefing informs you of actions taken in response to allegations of bribery involving driving
testing officers (DTOs) employed at a single location. The location is being kept confidential at
this stage due to ongoing investigation and employment processes.
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2. The DTOs allegedly involved, work for an organisation that NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
(NZTA) contracts to provide a range of driver licensing services, including driver licence testing.
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Background
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3. NZTA contracts out its driver licensing services, including testing, to external providers.
4. On 14 February 2025, NZTA alerted one of its providers of what we considered a high risk that
DTOs at one of the provider sites were soliciting and/or accepting bribes to pass practical driver
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licensing tests.
Investigation findings and progress
5. The provider undertook a review-based approach to investigating the allegations,
predominantly focused on the assessment of policies and processes in place and provided this
to NZTA.
6. NZTA subsequently met with the provider to clarify requirements and direct a more
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investigative approach.
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7. The provider commenced this in late April 2025.
8. Shortly after commencement of the investigation, the provider and NZTA received further
complaints and allegations regarding bribery at the same location.
9. Because of the specificity of the complaints, five DTOs at the site were suspended from duties.
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The suspension remains in place and the provider has written to the DTOs advising them that
the provider has filed a report with NZ Police.
10. The provider has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the five DTOs.
11. An allegation involving a sixth DTO at the same location was received on 9 May 2025. This
additional allegation is under investigation by the provider and NZTA will be updated at a
meeting scheduled for Monday, 23 June 2025.
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BRI-3365
12. NZTA is investigating options for rectification of the testing. This may include some people
needing to re-sit their test.
13. NZTA is currently assessing other allegations, trends and anomalies and will investigate s 6(c)
Next steps
14. NZTA will update you as needed.
It is recommended that you:
1.
Note the content of this briefing
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THE
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Brent Alderton
Director of Land Transport and Group General Manager Regulatory
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............................................................................
Hon Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport
INFORMATION
Date:
2025
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LEGALLY PRIVILEGED
MINISTERIAL BRIEFING NOTE
Subject
[PROACTIVE] Investigations into fraud, bribery and corruption
Date
8 July 2025
Briefing number
BRI-3380
Contact(s) for telephone discussion (if required)
Name
Position
Direct line
Cell phone
1st contact
1982
Brent Alderton
Director of Land
s9(2)(a)
s9(2)(a)
✓
Transport and Group
THE
General Manager
Regulatory
ACT
UNDER
Action taken by Office of the Minister
Noted
Seen by Minister
Agreed
Feedback provided
INFORMATION
Forwarded to
RELEASED
Needs change [please specify]
Withdrawn
Overtaken by events
OFFICIAL
BRI-3380
8 July 2025
Hon Chris Bishop – Minister of Transport
INVESTIGATIONS INTO FRAUD, BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION
Purpose
1.
This briefing provides an update on actions related to allegations of bribery involving Driver
Testing Officers (DTOs), following the previous briefing you received on 19 June 2025 (Ref: BRI-
3365). s6(c)
Background
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2.
s6(c)
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3. s6(c)
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4.
As noted in BRI-3365, we are actively assessing these allegations, along with trends and
anomalies that may indicate potential fraud or bribery within the system.
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5.
In response to additional data anomalies identified, a dedicated regulatory fraud taskforce has
been established to ensure a coordinated approach to investigating and reporting any
necessary rectification.
Update on allegations of bribery involving DTOs
6.
We previously advised you of actions being taken in response to allegations of bribery involving
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DTOs employed at a single location, including the potential rectification.
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7.
The DTOs are employed by an organisation contracted by us to deliver driver licensing services.
8.
The DTOs employer has cleared one of the 6 DTOs following a brief internal process, which
concluded there was no misconduct.
9.
Based on the information provided to us, we expect the other 5 DTOs to be dismissed from
employment.
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10. We are following a process to remove all appropriate NZTA endorsements and licences from the
5 DTOs.
11. We also expect to require 769 individuals to undertake an on-road safety assessment (to check
that they have a good knowledge of the road rules and are practicing safe driving skills).
Depending on the outcome, some may be required to re-sit their test.
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BRI-3380
12. We anticipate that the DTOs employer will bear the costs associated with this rectification
process. This will be confirmed following the conclusion of our discussions with the DTO's
employer later this month.
s6(c)
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Next steps
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17. We will update you as appropriate.
It is recommended that you:
1.
Note the content of this briefing
INFORMATION
...........................................................................
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Brent Alderton
Director of Land Transport and Group General Manager Regulatory
OFFICIAL
............................................................................
Hon Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport Date:
2025
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LEGALLY PRIVILEGED
MINISTERIAL BRIEFING NOTE
Subject
[PROACTIVE] Update on Investigations into Irregularities and Integrity Matters
Date
20 August 2025
Briefing number
BRI-3408
Contact(s) for telephone discussion (if required)
Name
Position
Direct line
Cell phone
1st contact
1982
Mike Hargreaves
Director of Land
s 9(2)(a)
✓
Transport (Acting)
THE
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Action taken by Office of the Minister
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Noted
Seen by Minister
Agreed
Feedback provided
Forwarded to
INFORMATION
Needs change [please specify]
RELEASED
Withdrawn
Overtaken by events
OFFICIAL
BRI-3408
20 August 2025
Hon Chris Bishop – Minister of Transport
UPDATE ON INVESTIGATIONS INTO IRREGULARITIES AND INTEGRITY MATTERS
Purpose
1. This briefing provides further update on actions related to allegations of fraud, including bribery
s 6(c)
involving participants in the land transport system. This follows the previous
briefings you received on 19 June and 8 July 2025 (Ref: BRI-3365 and BRI-3380, respectively).
Background
2. s 6(c)
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THE
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3. We are actively investigating these allegations and monitoring patterns and irregularities that
may indicate potential fraud or bribery within the system. s 6(c)
Progress on issues previously advised in BRI-3380
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4. We previously advised you of actions being taken in response to allegations of bribery involving
Driver Testing Officers (DTOs) employed at a single location, including the potential rectification
of affected drivers. The DTOs are employed by an organisation contracted by us to deliver driver
licensing services.
5. Five DTOs at a single location have been dismissed. We are following a process to remove all
appropriate NZTA endorsements and licences from the five DTOs.
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6. Preparation is underway for rectification involving the first subset of individuals identified as
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being at highest risk for having paid a bribe (approximately 400 people). These individuals are
likely to be contacted by the end of August 2025 and will be required to undertake an on-road
safety assessment.
7. s 6(c)
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BRI-3408
s 6(c)
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Next steps
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14. We will update you as appropriate.
It is recommended that you:
1.
Note the content of this briefing
Yes / No
INFORMATION
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...........................................................................
Mike Hargreaves
Director of Land Transport (Acting)
OFFICIAL
............................................................................
Hon Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport Date:
2025
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From:
Prisca Gain
To:
Mark Nicholson; Official Correspondence; Josh Driscoll
Subject:
Re: Regulatory content for Minister"s report WE 12 September
Date:
Tuesday, 16 September 2025 12:07:01 pm
Attachments:
image001.png
Thanks Mark, I talked to Andy and he will send this to you ☺
Ngā mihi nui
Prisca
Prisca Gain (she/her)
Executive Advisor
Te Waka Kōtuia - Engagement and Partnerships
Email: [email address]
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Phone: s9(2)(a)
THE
Mobile: s9(2)(a)
From:
ACT
Mark Nicholson <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 10:38:02 AM
To: Official Correspondence <[email address]>; Josh Driscoll
<[email address]>
Cc: Prisca Gain <[email address]> UNDER
Subject: RE: Regulatory content for Minister's report WE 12 September
Noted and thank you. If the team could get an early copy of the PR to the office that would be
great.
Cheers
INFORMATION
Mark
RELEASED
From: Official Correspondence <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 16 September 2025 10:33 AM
To: Josh Driscoll <[email address]>; Mark Nicholson
<[email address]>
Cc: Prisca Gain <[email address]>
Subject: Regulatory content for Minister's report WE 12 September
OFFICIAL
Kia ora Mark and Josh
We would like to update you that we’re looking to issue a media release with regard to the fraud
activity at Highbrook VTNZ tomorrow, Wednesday 17 September 2025.
We will also include the below in the Minister’s weekly report so the Minister can note.
Update on fraud activity
We have previously advised you of suspected bribery at a VTNZ site in Auckland.
VTNZ investigated 5 VTNZ Driver Testing Officers (DTOs) at their Highbrook site in Auckland for
bribery, and they have all been dismissed. NZTA has suspended their Testing Officer (O)-
endorsements and issued Notices of Proposals to revoke them. Final decisions will be made
later this month.
VTNZ will stop offering driver licencing tests at its Highbrook site for 6 months from 19
September 2025. NZTA supports this decision.
VTNZ Highbrook will remain open and continue offering other services, such as Warrants of
Fitness (WoF) and Certificate of Fitness (CoF). Driver licence testing capacity at nearby VTNZ
sites will be increased.
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In the week of 15 September 2025, NZTA is contacting 332 people who received a driver
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licence test from VTNZ Highbrook. We will ask 248 class 1 licence holders to sit an On-Road
Safety Test (ORST) and 84 holders of heavy 2 – 5 licences to sit a practical test in the
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appropriate class. These individuals won’t have to pay for the test. NZTA issued a media
release on Wednesday 17 September 2025 to update the public about this.
Systems and processes, monitoring, and reporting have been enhanced at other VTNZ sites to
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ensure that any fraudulent activity is quickly identified and addressed.
Ngā mihi
Chanell
Ministerial Services
Te Waka Kōtuia | Engagement & Partnerships
NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiINFORMATION
Connect with us on Social Media
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This message, together with any attachments, may contain information that is classified
and/or subject to legal privilege. Any classification markings must be adhered to. If you are
not the intended recipient, you must not peruse, disclose, disseminate, copy or use the
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message in any way. If you have received this message in error, please notify us
immediately by return email and then destroy the original message. This communication
may be accessed or retained by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for information
assurance purposes.
This message, together with any attachments, may contain information that is classified
and/or subject to legal privilege. Any classification markings must be adhered to. If you
are not the intended recipient, you must not peruse, disclose, disseminate, copy or use the
message in any way. If you have received this message in error, please notify us
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