This jointly sponsored Member's bill implements a statutory framework to strengthen and coordinate action against modern slavery. It is still before Parliament.
A member's bill, unusually co-sponsored across party lines, that would create New Zealand's first modern-slavery reporting regime. 'Modern slavery' covers forced labour, human trafficking and similar severe exploitation. Under the bill, larger organisations would have to publish an annual statement disclosing the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains — in New Zealand and overseas — and the steps they are taking in response, with penalties for non-compliance.
The bill has support from every party except ACT. It would bring New Zealand into line with Australia and the UK, which already require similar reporting. Supporters say it's an overdue, practical step to expose and reduce exploitation; critics (ACT) say slavery is already illegal and the bill adds compliance cost without being effective policy.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.