Immigration Zealand (INZ) has begun fingerprint checks with the UK as part of a programme to strengthen border security and prevent identity fraud. New Zealand implemented a similar arrangement with Australia earlier this year.

The programme will expand to include Canada and the United States under the umbrella of the Five Country Conference (FCC), which has developed a system for securely – and with substantial privacy safeguards – matching fingerprint biometrics of persons of interest. Fingerprints of FCC citizens will not be shared.

The system will help INZ combat fraud and strengthen border security by helping identify, early in the immigration process, people with criminal histories or those using false identities.

A Privacy Impact Assessment has been completed in close consultation with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

View the NZ and UK Privacy Impact Assessment PDF [420KB].

For further information contact the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment media line on 0274 422 141 or e-mail the media centre.