A Samoan chief who has become New Zealand's first convicted slave master was this week sentenced to 11 years in prison.
66 year old Joseph Auga Matamata was found guilty in March - of 10 charges of human trafficking and 13 charges of dealing in slaves.
For about two decades he mistreated 13 people brought over from Samoa to work on orchards in Hastings.
He promised a better life but he didn't pay them and beat them if they didn't follow his strict rules.
People came from Samoa to work for Matamata, usually on the understanding that they would work to earn money to send home to their families in Samoa.
They were particularly vulnerable and endured cruel and inhumane treatment.
Matamata was sentenced this week at the High Court in Napier, where Crown prosecutor Clayton Walker read out the victim impact statements.
Convicted slave master Joseph Auga sentenced at the High Court in Napier. Photo: RNZ / Logan Church
