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Forced Labor in Cambridge / Whakatāne (2023)

A forced labor case from 2023 in Cambridge / Whakatāne, New Zealand. 1 source on file.

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What happened

Seven migrant workers of Indian descent were exploited while working at two North Island restaurants. Investigations found multiple breaches of minimum employment standards, including underpayment and unlawful premiums charged to workers in connection with securing employment. Workers described feeling trapped in their employment because of the conditions and financial arrangements. Accused: Restaurant and farm operators using migrant visa dependence.

Response and intervention

New Zealand Employment Relations Authority. Operators fined; migrant worker exploitation visa introduced. Stand Against Slavery NZ.

Sex Trafficking2012

Auckland, New Zealand, 2012

New Zealand NZ

A bankrupt motel operator has become the first person in New Zealand to be sent to jail for organising a child sex tour to Thailand. The 48-year-old has been given a three year sentence. An anti-exploitation group say despite it being a landmark case, child prostitution here and overseas is a growing problem. The destination was Pattaya, Thailand, an area known for its thriving sex industry. The plan was to have sex with young boys.The man believed he could run a business based on child sex tours and organised one. Justice Edwin Wylie at the Auckland High Court says the man was motivated primarily by his desire to make money. “Organising sex tours where the intent is that the traveller has sex with underage children is despicable,” he said.Stop Demand founder Denise Ritchie says the fact we have had our citizens go over and exploit the vulnerability and poverty of children in many of those countries is “heinous”, adding “it’s a shocking crime”.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
CSEC2008

New Zealand, New Zealand, 2008

New Zealand NZ

One brothel owner was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, one was sentenced to 300 hours of community service. The secretary of the latter owner was sentenced to 180 hours of community service, and the client was sentenced to one to two years' imprisonment.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Bay of Plenty, Tauranga District, New Zealand, 2010

New Zealand NZ

A 19 year old male New Zealand national, prostituted his 15 year old girlfriend in order to earn money for his drug addiction. It was their only source of income, and he took from her all the money she earned. It is reported that she was "scared of him". The girl worked 3-4 nights a week, servicing 1-3 Johns a night. The man would escort her to her clients, and afterwards would give the money she earned over to him. The relationship ended in June 2007, but over the following month the man sent the girl numerous offensive text messages before being arrested.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016