News centre
Update: Investigation underway into the exploitation of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals in Auckland
Update on the investigation into the alleged case of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals who arrived in New Zealand with the promise of employment that did not eventuate.
Situation summary
On Sunday 13 August 2023 Immigration NZ (INZ) became aware of a number of Indian nationals residing at one Papakura property, who had arrived in New Zealand on Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) and the promised employment had not materialised. These Indian nationals told INZ that they had paid large sums of money for the visa and the job in New Zealand.
An MBIE investigation was launched and almost immediately 5 other properties in Auckland, housing Indian and Bangladeshi migrants with similar stories, were discovered.
Update
This follows on from the statement issued on 17 August 2023 Investigation underway into the exploitation of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals in Auckland.
Investigation underway into the exploitation of Indian and Bangladeshi nationals in Auckland
- INZ has now identified 144 migrants who are connected to this investigation. These are migrants who are also connected to the 10 properties.
- From these discussions INZ has established several persons and companies of interest linked to this investigation.
- INZ is working closely with the Indian High Commission in New Zealand and the Bangladeshi High Commission in Australia as the investigation progresses.
- INZ is also working closely with Victim Support, Ministry of Social Development and NZ Police to provide assistance to the migrants, as well as connecting with several local community representatives who are supporting the migrants.
- INZ has started taking formal statements from the individuals. As can be expected, this process will take some time.
- A review has been completed of the approx. 190 offshore visa holders who are linked to the companies of interest in this investigation. Under Section 66 of the Immigration Act, INZ has the authority to cancel visas and this process has commenced for approximately 135 offshore visa holders. Of the remainder, 7 have had visas cancelled at the border, 21 have an expired visa and 12 have applied for a new visa. The remainder are partners and dependents linked to work visa holders that are currently onshore. Border alerts have been issued to ensure they cannot come to New Zealand.
- MBIE’s Tenancy Compliance and Investigation team has visited all 10 properties, with Fire & Emergency and Auckland Council representatives. From MBIE’s perspective the purpose of these visits was to check if the properties complied with the Residential Tenancies Act.
- INZ is working with Ministry of Social Development to connect the migrants to MSD’s employment skills workshop at their Jobs and Skills Hubs in Auckland.
Job and Skills Hubs website — Ministry of Social Development
The latest AEWV data is available online.