A man convicted of human trafficking and slavery has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Photo: RNZ/ Anusha Bradley
Joseph Auga Matamata, the first person to be convicted of both human trafficking and slavery in New Zealand, appeared at Napier High Court this morning.
Matamata also had to pay reparations of about $183,000 to the victims.
Sentencing the work contractor, Justice Helen Cull said his offending was "abhorrent" and created a "climate of fear and intimidation".
"The victims were told they could earn significant income by Samoan standards, which they would be able to send back to their families.
"Once in New Zealand, t
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