Photo: Unsplash / RNZ composite
A legal specialist in human trafficking says a simple amendment to the Crimes Act - which would enable prosecutions against child traffickers brought - is within reach.
RNZ has recently revealed cases of children held in slavery-like conditions after being trafficked into the country.
In one case, a 12 year old was withdrawn from school and put to work by his adoptive father, Joseph Auga Matamata, who covered his tracks by saying the boy had returned to his home country.
Rebecca Kingi advised the crown prosecutor in that case, and says because of our inadequate laws, Matamata was unable to be prosecuted for trafficking crimes against the boy, although he was convicted of multiple other crimes.
She says parliament's business committee is considering allowing the scope of a bill from the National MP Greg Fleming on slavery offences to be expanded - which should be a simple matter - given the bill already has cross party support.
A second bill from Greg Fleming, requiring larger companies to report on their supply chains, could bypass the member's bill ballot under new rules for legislation with cross-party support.
