A Samoan man brought to New Zealand for horticultural work in Hawke's Bay was allegedly not paid for 17 months and was beaten if he didn't perform chores at home.
The man who is charged with the crimes, 65-year-old Joseph Matamata, began his trial at the High Court in Napier.
He denies 24 charges of human trafficking and slavery over a 20 year period.
Anusha Bradley has been at court.
