Key Takeaways:

• A New Zealand man, Tuai, has been found guilty of 19 charges, including two of slavery and multiple counts of sexual offending.
• The victims, a young man and woman, were subjected to forced labor, restricted movement and communication, and controlled financially.
• The case highlights the issue of modern slavery in New Zealand, with experts suggesting that it is under-reported and growing.
• The prosecution of slavery cases can be challenging due to the reliance on victim testimony and the reluctance of migrant workers to come forward.
• The maximum sentence for slavery in New Zealand is 14 years, and 20 years for rape.

Introduction to Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is a serious issue that affects many people around the world, including in New Zealand. A recent case has highlighted the problem, with a man named Tuai being found guilty of 19 charges, including two of slavery and multiple counts of sexual offending. The victims, a young man and woman, were subjected to forced labor, restricted movement and communication, and controlled financially. The case has sparked concerns about the prevalence of modern slavery in New Zealand and the need for greater awareness and action to prevent it.

The Case Against Tuai
The prosecution presented a strong case against Tuai, with evidence showing that he had treated the victims as if they were his property. He restricted their freedom of movement, association, and communication, and used actual or threatened violence to control them. Tuai also controlled the victims’ finances, paying them very little for their work and keeping their passports, bank cards, and wages. The victims were forced to work long hours, with the young man working 50 to 60 hours a week for just $100-$150. The woman was also subjected to sexual assault and was threatened with deportation if she spoke out.

Control and Manipulation
Tuai’s control over the victims was total, with him dictating every aspect of their lives. He did not allow them to talk to each other, even when they were eating at the same table, and he threatened to kill the female victim if she told anyone about the sexual assaults. The victims were also forced to hand over their incomes to Tuai, with one victim estimated to have given him over $78,000. The jury heard a call that Tuai made to Internal Affairs, in which he expressed his disappointment that he could not carry out his threat to deport the victims.

Comparison to Other Cases
Tuai’s case is not an isolated incident, with other cases of modern slavery and human trafficking having been reported in New Zealand. In 2020, a man named Joseph Matamata was convicted of both slavery and human trafficking, with 13 victims being held behind a tall wire fence and forced to work. Another case involved a Fijian woman, Kasmeer Lata, who forced her underage daughter into prostitution and was sentenced to over 10 years in prison. These cases highlight the need for greater awareness and action to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in New Zealand.

Under-Reporting and Growing Problem
Despite the small number of prosecutions, experts believe that modern slavery and human trafficking are under-reported and growing in New Zealand. The University of Auckland’s Centre for Research on Modern Slavery director, Christina Stringer, notes that successful prosecutions often rely heavily on victim testimony, and many migrant workers may be unwilling to come forward or may not even recognize themselves as victims. A ministerial advisory group has reported that nearly four times the number of migrant exploitation complaints were made in 2024 compared to the previous year, suggesting that the problem is growing.

Conclusion and Next Steps
Tuai’s case has highlighted the need for greater awareness and action to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in New Zealand. The prosecution of slavery cases can be challenging, but it is essential to hold perpetrators accountable and to support victims. The maximum sentence for slavery in New Zealand is 14 years, and 20 years for rape, and it is hoped that Tuai will receive a significant sentence for his crimes. The case also highlights the need for greater support and protection for migrant workers, who are often vulnerable to exploitation. By working together, we can prevent modern slavery and human trafficking and ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect.