Human trafficking in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Trafficking in Persons Report 2024
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Trafficking in Persons Report 2024
For the fourth consecutive year, the New Zealand Government has not done enough to address human trafficking in Aotearoa New Zealand, according to the 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TiP) report.
The TiP report, released annually, ranks countries based on their efforts to combat human trafficking.
For 17 years, Aotearoa New Zealand was ranked as a Tier One country. This meant that the government was taking effective action to address human trafficking. However, in 2021, our country was downgraded to Tier Two, as the government had failed to do enough to prevent the crime.
We have remained at Tier Two since then, and the 2024 report shows there is a long way to go to get back to Tier One.
Human trafficking in 2024
Human trafficking is the fastest growing global crime, and in 2024 the Walk Free Foundation estimated that approximately 50 million people around the world are currently being enslaved and exploited. This estimate has increased by 10 million people in the last five years.
Human trafficking is a fundamental violation of human dignity, and we must remember that behind these shocking numbers are individual people who are suffering. In the face of this crime, we have a responsibility to advocate for the protection of human rights and to stand against practices that dehumanise and exploit individuals.
Human trafficking in Aotearoa New Zealand
Aotearoa New Zealand continues to be a destination country for trafficking. Investigations are finding cases of labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, and debt bondage in multiple industries and regions.
In addition, people in Aotearoa New Zealand contribute to the demand for trafficking and exploitation by consuming goods produced through labour exploitation and consuming sexually exploitative content online.
The Government has recently expressed their desire to increase the number of people coming to Aotearoa New Zealand as seasonal workers through the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
However, this scheme has been found to facilitate the exploitation of workers through significant gaps in the protection of employee and employer rights. We need to ensure that we are addressing the violations in our current systems before looking to expand in such areas.
Areas for improvement
Introducing modern slavery legislation
After five years of campaigning for legislation to prevent slavery and labour exploitation in the supply chains and operations of New Zealand businesses, we were relieved when the Government began drafting legislation in 2023.
However, in 2024, the new Government announced that modern slavery legislation was not a priority, a major setback and a move in the wrong direction.
We continue to advocate for this essential legislation to hold businesses accountable and ensure that human dignity is upheld across supply chains.
Establishing a national referral mechanism
The pathways for exploitation and trafficking victim-survivors to access support in Aotearoa New Zealand are convoluted and confusing, deterring individuals from reporting cases of trafficking and exploitation. This leads to fewer prosecutions and a lack of justice.
Establishing a clear, well-resourced pathway for reporting instances of trafficking or exploitation and receiving assistance from trained and dedicated support workers is crucial for protecting and supporting the most vulnerable in our society.
In May 2024, ECPAT Child Alert launched a petition calling for the establishment of a national referral mechanism to serve this purpose.
A national referral mechanism has been a specific recommendation for improvement in the TiP report for the last few years, and we encourage everyone to learn more about this important campaign and sign the petition. *
Aligning the Crimes Act definitions for child trafficking and exploitation with international standards.
International law recognises that there is no need to prove means of coercion or deception to charge someone for trafficking or exploiting a child, as they are likely unable to understand the situation or provide informed consent.
However, the current definition of human trafficking in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Crimes Act requires proof of coercion or deception regardless of age.
We want to ensure that child traffickers receive the punishments suited to their crime and that children who are trafficked are more likely to receive justice.
Therefore, we urge for amendments to be made to the Crimes Act to recognise that proof of coercion or deception is not necessary to prosecute someone for child trafficking and exploitation, thereby aligning legislation with international law.
What you can do
Your voice matters, and together we can bring about positive change.
Write to your local MP and call for urgent action on any or all of the three key areas for improvement we’ve listed in this article above. Click here to use our template as a starting point.
Sign the petition for a national referral mechanism for victims of exploitation and trafficking.
Educate yourself about human trafficking. Learn more about how human trafficking and exploitation are taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand and read the recommendations from the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report.
Talk to other people about what you have learnt. Have conversations with those around you! The more people talking about this human rights abuse, the better.