New Zealand’s transport agency is investigating allegations of bribery, corruption and fraud across the country’s driver licensing system, with dozens of testing officers suspended or stood down and about 650 drivers required to resit their tests.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) began investigating in October 2025 after identifying test results from some driver testing officers that were “outside expected norms”.
In July, 16 driver testing officers were suspended and seven more stood down from practical licence testing. A further seven officers who were not actively testing were also suspended as a precaution.
As per RNZ, the investigation covers both passenger and heavy-vehicle licence tests across New Zealand. NZTA director of land transport Mike Hargreaves confirmed that the review of abnormal test results sits alongside wider investigations into potential fraud, bribery and corruption within the licensing system.
The agency has also launched the next phase of the investigation, Operation Kea, which is expected to put further pressure on practical testing capacity, particularly in Auckland and for heavy-vehicle licences.
NZTA said a retesting programme would target licence holders who may have received their licences improperly, using a risk-based assessment of tests conducted by the officers under investigation.
The concerns follow an earlier investigation at VTNZ’s Highbrook branch, where five driver testing officers were dismissed following allegations of potential bribery. 631 drivers were subsequently required to undertake on-road safety tests, with 497 completing them. Only 59.8% passed, compared with a national average of 83.4%, which NZTA described as indicating an elevated safety risk.
NZTA is now considering additional safeguards, including body cameras for driver testing officers, increased monitoring and auditing, and fraud and integrity training for staff.
The agency has warned that practical testing could remain under pressure through the second half of 2026.
Hargreaves said the action was aimed at protecting road users and maintaining confidence in the licensing system, while stressing that the vast majority of driving tests had been conducted properly.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said he had been briefed on the measures being taken but declined to comment further while the investigation remains ongoing.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
