Moeaia Tuai in court.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
An Auckland man promised two people a better life, but instead kept them as slaves for several years, police said following his sentencing.
Moeaia Tuai was on Thursday jailed for 16 years and four months for dealing in slaves, rape and numerous other sexual assaults.
Detective Inspector Warrick Adkin of Counties Manukau CIB said the Samoan chief arranged to bring them to New Zealand in 2016.
He praised the bravery of the complainants for standing up in court, saying they gave compelling evidence.
“Initially the victims were promised a good education and a better way of life. But that’s not what happened – instead he put them to work, kept their wages and assaulted them.
“The charges are the result of more than two years of work by Immigration New Zealand and New Zealand Police, dating back to 2024 when the first allegations of Tuai’s offending were brought to our attention.”
Specialist agencies supported the two young people through the process and five-week trial, he added.
Immigration investigations manager Jason Perry said slavery was often a hidden crime, and urged people to report migrant exploitation.
“Immigration New Zealand is committed to supporting police to ensure those who deliberately harm or take advantage of others are held accountable. Immigration investigators worked closely with police throughout the operation, helping to ensure those responsible for these often hidden crimes are brought to justice.
“Coordinated action like this is essential to protecting vulnerable people and raising awareness. If you see signs of exploitation, report it.”
Tuai, 63, was sentenced to a non-parole period of eight years.
The High Court in Auckland heard he put the male complainant straight to work at an Auckland boarding house run by his wife’s sister, before moving both victims to Australia, where the young man escaped in 2020.
It took another four years before the young woman, back in New Zealand, also managed to run away.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.