Timeline: New Zealand’s Modern Slavery & Worker Exploitation Legislation

New Zealand is moving towards a mandatory modern slavery reporting regime through the proposed Modern Slavery and Worker Exploitation Bill, which has unusual cross-party backing from National and Labour. The Bill is designed mainly as a reporting and accountability framework for large entities, rather than a new set of criminal offences.

The Bill is commonly described as applying to entities operating in New Zealand with consolidated annual revenue above NZ$100 million, including overseas entities carrying on business in New Zealand that meet the threshold. If passed, in-scope entities would be expected to publish annual modern slavery statements covering risks in operations and supply chains, supported by a public register and enforcement tools such as penalties for non-compliance or misleading statements (details may still change during Parliament’s process)

Asia Pacific Responsible Supply Chain Desk has created the timeline below to understand the progress of the Bill.