Modern Slavery in New Zealand: What’s Next?
Modern slavery is often framed as something that happens offshore, in distant factories or fragile states. But evidence suggests it is embedded in global supply chains that connect directly to New Zealand businesses and consumers. The question is no longer whether it exists here — but whether lawmakers will act.
Modern Slavery Is Present in Aotearoa
Modern slavery isn’t a distant problem – it’s happening here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Supply Chains and Reputational Risk
It’s embedded in supply chains both domestically and internationally, exposing New Zealand companies to significant reputational and ethical risks. More than 250 New Zealand-headquartered companies appear on Australia’s Modern Slavery Register, but two private members’ bills proposing modern slavery legislation for New Zealand are still sitting in Parliament’s “biscuit tin”.
How Australia and the UK Have Responded
Introducing modern slavery legislation would align New Zealand with key trading partners—Australia and the United Kingdom—both of which have enacted modern slavery laws.
University of Auckland Hosts National Discussion
To explore the situation in Aotearoa and what needs to change, the University of Auckland Business School’s research centre, Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, is hosting a panel event on Modern Slavery in Aotearoa New Zealandon Thursday, 30 October.
The discussion will examine the scope and complexity of modern slavery, review Australia’s legislative approach, consider the potential for similar laws in New Zealand, and discuss the practical implications for businesses and their supply chains.
Who Is Speaking at the Event?
Panellists include Professor John Dumay (Macquarie University, Sydney), Associate Professor Christina Stringer (University of Auckland), Rebekah Armstrong (Head of Advocacy and Justice at World Vision New Zealand), Sharleen Gargiulo (Sustainability Lead at Air New Zealand), and Oliver Christeller (Senior Human Rights Advisor, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission) with Professor Christine Woods (University of Auckland) facilitating the discussion.
As global markets tighten expectations around ethical supply chains, the question for New Zealand is not whether modern slavery exists — but whether we are prepared to legislate against it. Silence may protect convenience in the short term. But in an interconnected world, accountability always arrives eventually.
