Joseph Matamata

Joseph Auga Matamata[1] (born 1953 or 1954) is a New Zealand-based Samoan chief and slave trader.[2] He is the first person in New Zealand to be convicted of using someone as a slave, and the first to be charged with both human trafficking and slavery.[2][3][4]

The offences were committed between 1994 and 2019, and involved 13 people. Following a five-week trial at the Napier High Court, Matamata was convicted of 10 counts of trafficking, and 13 counts of slavery.[3] In July 2020 he was sentenced to 11 years in jail, and reparations of NZ$180,000.[5] He also forfeited two properties where the offences occurred.[2]

References
  1. Lock, Harry (28 July 2020). "Concerns efforts to stop migrant exploitation don't go far enough". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  2. "Slave dealer Joseph Matamata jailed for 11 years". Stuff. 27 July 2020. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  3. "Samoan chief who enslaved villagers sentenced to 11 years in New Zealand". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  4. Bradley, Anusha (3 April 2020). "Slavery in New Zealand: inside the story of the Samoan chief who abused power for profit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  5. "First interview: Man kept as slave in NZ speaks out". NZ Herald. 25 June 2023.


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