ESG Enforcement Tracker
Charting the rise of criminal and regulatory enforcement
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New Zealander found guilty of modern-day slavery
Date:
21 November 2025
21 November 2025
Relevant legislation/regulation:
Crimes Act 1961
Crimes Act 1961
Jurisdiction:
New Zealand
New Zealand
Status:
Ongoing
Ongoing
Regulator/enforcement authority:
New Zealand Crown Prosecutor / High Court
New Zealand Crown Prosecutor / High Court
ESG Category:
Social
Social
Defendant(s)/subjects(s):
Moeaia Tuai
Moeaia Tuai
Key Facts:
A jury in New Zealand has found Moeaia Tuai guilty of enslaving two individuals at separate times between 2016 and 2024. The court heard evidence that Tuai exercised complete control over their lives, restricting movement and communication, and compelling them to undertake low-paid work. He was held to deprive the individuals of their autonomy, including withholding their passports, bank cards and forcing one individual to take out a loan. He is reported as using threats of deportation to maintain control. The judge is reported as describing the conduct as “the very definition of slavery”.
Following the jury’s decision, sentencing has been scheduled for February 2026, after which the judgment is expected to be published.
Sources:
RNZ article
