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Name suppression lapses for Samoan national accused of slavery

Viliamu Samu, also known as Joe Matamata
Source: New Zealand Herald

Hawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND — The identity of a man accused of slavery and trafficking in Hawke's Bay can now be revealed.

Samoan national Viliamu Samu, known locally as Joe Matamata, has been charged with human trafficking and slavery after he allegedly brought Samoans to New Zealand to work illegally in the horticultural industry as far back as the early 1990s.

The labor contractor is facing an array of charges, including seven of arranging entry of a person into New Zealand by deception and 10 counts of using a person as a slave.

Samu, 64, appeared in Hastings District Court this morning and entered no pleas and was remanded on bail.

His interim name suppression lapsed at 5pm.

In response to the allegations, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway directed the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to undertake "in-depth research on temporary migrant worker exploitation in New Zealand".

Samu was arrested following a lengthy investigation by Immigration NZ and Police.

Read more at New Zealand Herald