On 29 January 2025, the New Zealand Parliament took an historic step forward by progressing a Modern Slavery Bill with rare cross-party support. Co-sponsored by Labour MP Camilla Belich and National MP Greg Fleming, the Bill was advanced through the first-ever use of Parliament’s ‘Rule of 61’, allowing it to bypass the usual ballot process and proceed directly to its first reading.[1]
Modern Slavery refers to situations in which individuals are exploited and unable to refuse to work or leave the workplace due to threats, violence, coercion, deception or abuse of power. It involves exploitation for personal or commercial gain, and often includes practices such as human trafficking, forced labour, forced marriage and child exploitation.
What is the ‘Rule of 61’?
Normally, a Member’s Bill must go into a ballot and be randomly selected before it can be introduced for a first reading. Under the ‘Rule of 61’ (Standing Order 288), however, a Private Member’s Bill can skip the ballot and go straight onto the Order Paper for its first reading if the Bill is supported by at least two-thirds of non-executive MPs (ie more than 61 backbenchers). The Modern Slavery Bill met this threshold, with 64 non-executive MPs backing it, allowing it to progress more quickly through Parliament.
Not only was this the first time a Bill exceeded this threshold, but the strong cross-party support also highlights a firm and united stance by the New Zealand Parliament against modern slavery. [2]
The Modern Slavery Bill
Human rights advocates have pushed for modern slavery legislation in New Zealand for several years, arguing that we lag behind comparable jurisdictions such as Australia, the UK and Canada which already have disclosure regimes in place.[3]
If passed into law, the Modern Slavery Bill will create New Zealand’s first enforceable national framework to prevent and respond to modern slavery. The Bill aims to both reduce the risk of incidents of modern slavery in New Zealand and increase public awareness and victim support.
The Bill proposes to introduce several key measures:
- A clear statutory definition
The Bill will introduce an internationally aligned definition of modern slavery, encompassing offences under the Crimes Act 1961, trafficking, forced or exploitative labour, servitude, sexual exploitation, slavery, and the worst forms of child labour.
- Mandatory reporting obligations
The Bill will require that entities with consolidated annual revenue exceeding NZD$100 million prepare, submit and publish ‘Modern Slavery Statements’. These will address incidents, risks, due diligence, remediation, complaints and training, across operations and supply chains, relating to modern slavery.
- A public online register
The Bill will establish a searchable register, overseen by a Registrar, where all Modern Slavery Statements must be filed and made publicly available.
- Financial penalties
Introduces criminal fines of up to $200,000 and civil penalties up to $600,000 for failing to comply with reporting obligations or publishing false or misleading statements.
- Victim support and protection pathways
The Bill will require Ministerial guidance on victim identification, referral processes, and available government services.
- Improved national data collection
Enhances national data systems to better track the scale and nature of modern slavery in New Zealand
- Regular legislative reviews
Requires periodic review of the legislation and modern slavery policies.
What does this mean for New Zealand businesses?
It is projected that the Bill likely will be pass in November 2026, and so now is the time for New Zealand entities, and overseas companies operating in New Zealand, with $100 million of consolidated revenue, or those who expect to meet that threshold, to prepare.[4]
These entities should start looking now at their operations and supply chains for any areas of risk, design policies built for transparency and accountability, and develop thorough and effective due diligence processes.
If you would like guidance on what the Bill could mean for your organisation, or support with assessing supply chain risks, developing policies, and designing practical due diligence and reporting processes, please get in touch with Lane Neave’s Employment Team. We can help you understand your obligations, tailor a compliance approach that fits your business, and prepare well ahead of the anticipated commencement timeline.
Author: Megan Reed
[1] Standing Orders of the House of Representatives 2017, SO 288.
[2] World Vision “Historic use of parliamentary rule to usher Modern Slavery Act for NZ” (29 January 2026) www.worldvision.org.nz.
[3] Christina Stringer, Brent Burmester, Snejina Michailova & Thomas Harré (September 2021) Toward a Modern Slavery Act in New Zealand – Legislative landscape and steps forward (V1.1) The University of Auckland Business School, Centre for Research on Modern Slavey. www.cdn.auckland.ac.nz.
[4] Shanti Mathias “There’s finally a bipartisan modern-day slavery bill. How will it work?” (2 February 2026) The Spinoff www.thespinoff.co.nz.
