A Samoan man, who prosecutors say was trafficked to New Zealand and used as a slave, has described being ordered to beat his cousin by his adoptive father, the Hastings-based Samoan chief who brought them here.
The trial of Joseph Auga Matamata is in its third week at the High Court in Napier.
He denies 24 charges of human trafficking and slavery, involving 13 Samoan nationals, over a 26 year period.
Anusha Bradley reports.
Joseph Auga Matamata aka Viliamu Samu in court Photo: RNZ/ Anusha Bradley
