'Furious' minister reveals officials misled her, knowingly avoided Cabinet over 'doomed' immigration project, millions wasted

New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has revealed that officials allegedly misled her regarding a long-standing immigration project, which she described as "doomed." The project, spanning eight years, is reported to have resulted in the waste of at least $32 million, allegedly due to officials employing "creative accounting" practices to circumvent Cabinet scrutiny.

Stanford expressed her dismay, stating that the integrity of officials will inevitably be questioned by the public in light of these revelations. While the specific terms of reference for subsequent reviews are still being established, the minister's comments indicate a significant breach of trust and accountability within the immigration department.

The article highlights that multiple reviews are now being launched to investigate the matter. The alleged misuse of funds and the deliberate avoidance of oversight mechanisms raise serious concerns about the management and transparency of government projects. Stanford's strong reaction suggests a determination to uncover the full extent of the mismanagement and hold those responsible accountable.

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Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says the integrity of officials will be questioned by the public.