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Government Laws

Penalties for Trafficking

New Zealand’s laws criminalize trafficking, slavery and child sexual exploitation. There were no convictions in 2004-2005 relating to transnational trafficking, but there were two convictions of brothel keepers for employing underage prostitutes under the Prostitution Reform Bill of 2003, which legalized prostitution in New Zealand and clamped down on trafficking of children for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. There were seven convictions for offenses involving underage prostitutes. Penalties for trafficking crimes carry a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and substantial fines. The law extends prosecution to any person receiving financial gain from an act involving children exploited as prostitutes, and it prohibits sex tourism.

Under the Prostitution Reform Act, it is illegal to use a person under 18 years of age in prostitution.

New Zealand has adopted tough domestic legislation to criminalize trafficking, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $349,650 (NZ$500 thousand). Laws against child sexual exploitation and slavery carry penalties of up to 14 years in prison. During the year the government began work on a national plan of action against trafficking in persons, due for completion in early 2006, addressing the areas of prevention, protection, prosecution, and victim reintegration.