Exploitation behind showroom doors: Company sentenced and ordered to pay $170,000 for migrant worker exploitation

An Upper Hutt based company has been sentenced for exploiting migrant workers who were underpaid, housed in unsafe conditions, and pressured to keep working in breach of visa rules.

At the Hutt Valley District Court, Autopride Cars Limited was fined NZD $100,000, ordered to pay a total reparation of NZD $70,654.06 to the workers and had their employer accreditation revoked. This means they cannot employ migrants under the Accredited Employer Work Visa in the future.

The company was convicted in May in relation to 2 charges of exploiting temporary or unlawful workers, in connection to the treatment of 2 migrant workers during 2023.

The victims arrived in New Zealand on visitor visas and were later recruited by Autopride Cars Limited. Both were made to work long hours for cash pay without employment agreements, tax registration, or basic worker protections.

Each worked at least 6 days a week, typically for around 9 hours a day, and paid NZD $100 cash per day – an effective hourly rate of about NZD $11, well below the minimum wage at the time. Pay was irregular and had to be repeatedly requested so they could afford food and personal items.

Company managers repeatedly promised to arrange work visas, asked the workers to provide documents, and assured them that applications were underway. No visas were ever lodged or processed. Instead, the workers were pressured to continue working despite their unlawful status.

“The investigation found that the workers’ immigration status was used to control them and keep them silent” says National Manager Investigations Jason Perry. “One worker was instructed to hide from Immigration New Zealand officers during a compliance visit and pressured not to speak to authorities. The other felt unable to leave their job because of pressure from management and concern for a family member who also worked for the company.”

Both workers eventually left the company following Immigration New Zealand intervention, citing ongoing exploitation and fear for their safety.

“This case shows how migrant exploitation works in real life, with people being kept quiet through fear and pressure” says Jason Perry. “Exploiting migrants is not ‘doing business’. It is criminal behaviour, and we will pursue it to hold those responsible to account.”

“Employer accreditation is a privilege, not a right. Employers who abuse the system should expect significant consequences. It is a reminder that employers must meet the standards expected of those entrusted to hire migrant workers.”

“If members of the public see migrants living or working in unsafe or inadequate conditions, being underpaid, or being intimidated by an employer, we want you to speak up. Reporting concerns can make a real difference. It helps us protect vulnerable workers and take action against those who abuse the system.”

To make a complaint or report exploitation, visit:

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