A second Samoan national involved in a long-running migrant exploitation case has been sentenced in the Auckland District Court.
The accused aided an “unethical and illegal” employment scheme paying migrants below minimum wage, while working long hours and denied basic employment rights.
The individual, who was an associate of a previously sentenced Samoan national, was sentenced to six-months home detention for their role in aiding and abetting people to breach the conditions of their visas.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said the sentencing was the result of a wider investigation of vulnerable migrant workers between 2016 and 2021.
The primary offender was sentenced in April to four-years in prison and ordered to pay $4000 in reparations.
The ministry said the associate “played a key role” in facilitating the unlawful employment of Samoan nationals in New Zealand.
“They provided accommodation for many of the exploited workers while the offender was overseas.
“These workers were often paid below minimum wage, denied basic employment rights, and worked long hours without proper documentation processes.”
General manager of immigration investigations and compliance Steve Watson said it was important to hold offenders to account to uphold the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system.
“This case highlights the consequences for those who choose to exploit migrants and undermine our immigration laws.
“We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that those who engage in such unethical and illegal practices are brought to justice.”
The investigation, which began in 2020, was launched after a tip-off to Crime Stoppers.
The case stretched five years, and involved close collaboration between several teams across the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to successfully bring the charges before the courts.
The ministry encouraged anyone with information about immigration fraud or migrant exploitation to come forward.
