Complexities Facing the New Zealand Criminal Justice System: Prosecuting Human Trafficking Cases

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation is to analyse why researching, investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases in New Zealand is complex. In the hope that these results will contribute to unlocking future effective solutions to combatting human trafficking. Qualitative secondary human trafficking data was collated from the LexisNexis New Zealand law case database and examined using a case analysis method. Eleven New Zealand human trafficking cases were analysed to determine seven main themes apparent across the data set. The complexities facing the New Zealand Criminal Justice System when prosecuting human trafficking cases are the; overlap of laws, international element of human trafficking, minimal data, hidden nature of the crime, complicated law definition, inconsistencies created through specific wording of the law and law definition being too broad. Concluding comments include the need for future analysis on the effectiveness of current solutions to combatting the crime and recommendations for more evidence-based solutions.