Hospitality owner arrested after alleged exploitation of migrant workers

Police in Auckland have arrested a bar and restaurant owner for the alleged exploitation of three migrant workers.

The 53-year-old owner was taken into custody on 17 November, after a four-month long investigation by Police and Immigration New Zealand.

Police executed a search warrant at an address linked to possible migrant exploitation and charged the owner with one count of Exploitation under section 351 of the Immigration Act 2009.

They are facing a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $100,000.

Immigration New Zealand says more charges are likely.

Immigration's National Manager of Investigations, Stephanie Greathead said they will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in migrant exploitation.

"No form of exploitation is acceptable in New Zealand and we encourage anyone who thinks they, or someone else, is being exploited in the workplace to contact us."