New Zealand Authorities Launch Over 40 Investigations into Trafficking Offences
New Zealand Authorities Launch Over 40 Investigations into Trafficking Offences
New Zealand authorities are currently investigating over 40 trafficking-related cases, marking a significant increase in efforts to combat both cross-border and domestic trafficking. Associate Immigration Minister Casey Costello has stated that the government is not ignoring the growing problem and is actively working to address it.
According to recent reports, the number of trafficking investigations has surged by nearly 4000% since 2018. However, no prosecutions have occurred since 2018, with only six investigations recorded from 2018 to 2020, and 236 in the two years up to last October. Costello, who took over responsibility for combating organized crime—including trafficking—earlier this year, emphasized that people are becoming desensitized to exploitation and trafficking, often conflating it with issues like underpayment or lack of holiday pay.
The last trafficking case to be prosecuted was in 2020, when Joseph Auga Matamata was sentenced to 11 years in prison for bringing 13 Samoans to New Zealand and exploiting them over 25 years. Costello also expressed concern about the number of children brought into the country from overseas, who have been sexually or financially exploited or used as household slaves.
The Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime has warned that serious criminal exploitation, such as people trafficking and forced labor, is likely underreported and growing in New Zealand. The group highlighted that exploited migrants are often found in sectors like horticulture, construction, beauty services, and hospitality.
In response, the group recommended that 'high-risk industries' should be required to actively identify and mitigate risks in their supply chains, subject to legal liability similar to workplace health and safety regulations. The report also emphasized the need for clearer mandates between government agencies to improve the effectiveness of trafficking investigations.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has stated that frontline staff are trained to recognize the signs of trafficking, and that law enforcement is being supported to identify suspected trafficking in the community. Victims are eligible for support services, including access to social development programs, health services, and INZ assistance.
The group also recommended clarifying the roles of agencies like the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Police in handling trafficking cases. Additionally, the report called for updates to MBIE’s systems and processes to better address trafficking.
In September 2018, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US jointly launched the Principles to Guide Government Action to Combat Human Trafficking in Global Supply Chains. New Zealand’s five-year plan of action against forced labor, people trafficking, and slavery is set to expire this year, but only two of its annual implementation reports have been published so far—2021 and 2022.
One of the proposed measures was the issuance of visas for certified trafficking victims to work and/or stay in New Zealand. In 2020/21, 13 victims of people trafficking were granted residence visas, followed by three in the following year. However, no such visas have been issued since.
As the government continues to grapple with the complexities of trafficking, the urgency of reform and the need for stronger legislation remain at the forefront. With the issue growing and underreported, the focus is now on ensuring that victims receive the support they need and that perpetrators are held accountable.
