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MODERN SLAVERY LEGISLATION
We did it!
A Modern Slavery Bill has been introduced to Parliament. Now let's ensure it becomes a law!
Email your MP today

Thank you!

Five years of advocacy. Thousands of emails to MPs. Petitions, open letters, meetings, and conversations. Every action added up, and together, Kiwis helped make this moment possible.

To every person who signed, emailed, or kept this issue alive, even when progress felt slow: thank you. This is what advocacy in action looks like.

Two parties. One bill. A common goal: End modern slavery

National and Labour chose people over politics and came together behind one shared goal: to end modern slavery. For the first time ever, political parties used the parliamentary Rule of 61 to fast-track a joint Modern Slavery Bill straight into Parliament.

Under this rule, if 61 or more non-executive MPs sign their support, a bill skips the ballot and is immediately introduced. No waiting on chance to be drawn from the biscuit tin.

That has never happened before in New Zealand. And it didn’t happen overnight.

5

years of advocacy

Thousands

of Kiwis calling for Modern Slavery Legislation

61+

MPs united behind one bill

Why this matters

This matters for the estimated 50 million people living in modern slavery around the world. It matters for the people, including children, forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions to make the clothes we wear, harvest the food we eat, and source the minerals in our electronics. Modern slavery has no place in our supply chains, our workplaces, or anywhere in the world.

The Modern Slavery Bill would ensure this. If passed, it would require New Zealand businesses to check their supply chains for forced and child labour, and show what they’re doing about it.

Real accountability

Real accountability

A public register of modern slavery statements, with regular reporting and enforcement

Stronger support for victims

Stronger support for victims

Improved identification, consistent agency responses, and dedicated support services for survivors of trafficking

Greater transparency for consumers and investors

Greater transparency for consumers and investors

A public register of modern slavery statements, with regular reporting and enforcement

The bill is in Parliament. Now let’s ensure it becomes a law.

Introducing the bill was a major milestone, but it’s only the first step. For it to become law, it must pass through several stages in Parliament. Right now, it’s waiting to be scheduled for its first reading, behind a number of other bills.

Time is tight. With an election coming up at the end of the year, the bill needs to move quickly through each stage before this term ends. If it doesn’t, there’s a real risk the next government won’t prioritise modern slavery laws. We’ve seen progress stall before when governments change. We can’t let that happen again. Not when we’re this close.

Here's where the bill stands and what's needed to make it law.


✓

Bill introduced to Parliament Done

National and Labour used the Rule of 61 to fast-track the Modern Slavery Bill — bypassing the ballot entirely.

2

First reading Needed now

The bill needs to be scheduled for its first reading before the end of the year. With limited time before the election, Parliament needs to prioritise it now.

3

Select committee

The bill is opened for public submissions and scrutinised by a select committee.

4

Second reading

The bill returns to Parliament for further debate.

5

Committee of the whole House

MPs debate and vote on any amendments to the bill.

6

Third reading

A final vote on the bill in Parliament.

7

Royal assent — becomes law

The bill passes and modern slavery legislation becomes a reality in Aotearoa.

With strong cross-party support already in place, we have a real opportunity to get this done. Now it’s about keeping up the momentum and making sure Parliament acts in time.

You helped get this bill into Parliament. Now let’s make sure it becomes law.

The cross-party support is there. What’s needed now is for Parliament to prioritise the bill. One email from you could make the difference.

Email your MP now