Upper Hutt's Autopride Cars Limited faced penalties for exploiting two migrant workers. The Hutt Valley District Court imposed a $100,000 fine and ordered $70,654.06 in compensation to the workers.
The workers arrived on visitor visas in 2023 and endured exploitative conditions. They worked approximately nine hours daily, six days weekly, receiving "only $100 per day cash" (roughly $11 hourly)—substantially below the minimum wage at that time. The company promised work visa sponsorship but never filed applications.
Authorities discovered one worker was instructed to hide during immigration inspections. The company's employer accreditation was revoked, preventing future hiring of migrant workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
Immigration New Zealand urges reporting of underpayment, unsafe housing, threats, and coercion affecting migrant workers.
