Strengthening New Zealand’s Child Trafficking Definition to Better Protect Tamariki
In 2024, NZ retained tier two status for four years in a row for not meeting minimum standards to address trafficking in persons.
As Chair of the Human Trafficking Research Coalition, World Vision have been advocating for New Zealand’s definition of child sex trafficking to be amended so that the prevalence of child trafficking in New Zealand can be ascertained accurately and addressed appropriately.
Amendments to the Crimes Act have been consistently recommended by the US Trafficking in Persons report and human rights reviews of New Zealand law. In 2021, New Zealand was first downgraded in its global ranking as the New Zealand Government ‘does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking'.
In March 2022, on Child Exploitation Awareness Day, 15 New Zealand NGOs wrote a letter to the Minister for Children requesting the law change to better protect New Zealand children. To date, there has been no action or amendment.
Because New Zealand’s definition of child trafficking is not fit for purpose under the Crimes Act 1961, child sex trafficking in New Zealand is often prosecuted under the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, which carries lesser penalties for perpetrators. As we don’t define child trafficking correctly or consistently, it’s difficult to ascertain the prevalence of child trafficking in New Zealand and address it appropriately.
Click here to watch World Vision’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, explains why amending this law is in the best interests of children at Select Committee.
As Chair of the Human Trafficking Research Coalition, World Vision have been advocating for New Zealand’s definition of child sex trafficking to be amended so that the prevalence of child trafficking in New Zealand can be ascertained accurately and addressed appropriately.
Amendments to the Crimes Act have been consistently recommended by the US Trafficking in Persons report and human rights reviews of New Zealand law. In 2021, New Zealand was first downgraded in its global ranking as the New Zealand Government ‘does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking'.
In March 2022, on Child Exploitation Awareness Day, 15 New Zealand NGOs wrote a letter to the Minister for Children requesting the law change to better protect New Zealand children. To date, there has been no action or amendment.
Because New Zealand’s definition of child trafficking is not fit for purpose under the Crimes Act 1961, child sex trafficking in New Zealand is often prosecuted under the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, which carries lesser penalties for perpetrators. As we don’t define child trafficking correctly or consistently, it’s difficult to ascertain the prevalence of child trafficking in New Zealand and address it appropriately.
Click here to watch World Vision’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, explains why amending this law is in the best interests of children at Select Committee.