Migrant Exploitation in Aotearoa New Zealand: Improving Employer Accountability

Migrant Exploitation in Aotearoa New Zealand: Improving Employer Accountability

Publication date:  December 2025

Author: Dhilum Nightingale

This report explores the widespread issue of migrant worker exploitation and the systemic factors that allow it to persist. Drawing on interviews with migrant workers, legal casework, and policy analysis, the report shows how visa settings, recruitment practices, and power imbalances place migrant workers at heightened risk, while barriers in the justice system make it difficult to seek help or hold employers accountable. It outlines the human and financial impacts of exploitation and provides comprehensive recommendations for reform across law, policy, and enforcement. The report also includes practical guidance for workers and advocates, helping them navigate the justice system and access support. This research has informed the development of VERI-Mi Charitable Trust and its digital platform, designed to empower migrant workers to understand and uphold their employment rights with dignity.