ECPAT New Zealand was formed in 1993. Its earlier focus on public awareness-raising on CSEC issues, law reform and advocacy has expanded to include Internet safety initiatives and research and community education on child protection, child prostitution, child pornography and child sex tourism. Through legal submissions, media releases, interviews and public debate, ECPAT NZ has ensured that CSEC issues are addressed in law reform in the context of prostitution and child pornography.
A number of research papers by ECPAT NZ have been published, including papers on the involvement and victimisation of children in commercial sexual activity. ECPAT NZ works within an Auckland network on the prevention of child prostitution, involving practitioners, social services, police, local councils and youth advocates. The network provides opportunities for the exchange of information, collaboration and joint action.
Contact: Eleanor Parkes
Phone: +64 9 3765252
Address: O Box 41264, Mount Roksill, Auckland 1041
Email: office@ecpat.org.nz
Website: https://www.ecpat.org.nz
New Zealand is a source country for children subjected to trafficking for sexual purposes within the country. Vulnerable populations include Pacific Island and New Zealand girls and boys, often of Maori descent, as well as some international students. Vulnerable children are notably compelled by family members into sexual exploitation or recruited by other children.
New Zealand amended its Crimes Act in 2015 to criminalise domestic trafficking and some aspects of grooming. The 2014 Vulnerable Children Act sets clear expectations for consistent safety checks across children’s workforce. However, New Zealand lacks a comprehensive system for collecting data in particular on the sale of children and exploitation of children in prostitution, as well as comprehensive policies and plans of action related to SEC. There is scarce information available as to the number of cases duly investigated and perpetrators of SEC-related crimes prosecuted and sanctioned.
Some New Zealand nationals reportedly travel abroad to engage in sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.
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Age of sexual consent is 16 years. The national legislation does not provide for a close-in-age exemption.
Analysis of country legislation on age of sexual consent, 2024
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Active and passive extraterritoriality is recognized for the offence of dealing in people under 18 for sexual exploitation committed abroad by/against New Zealand citizens or ordinary residents under Section 7A(1)(a) and (c) of the Crimes Act. Extraterritoriality is also recognized for SEC related offences under Sections 144AA and 131B of the crimes act. Double criminality is not required for extraterritorial jurisdiction.
SEC related offences can be considered extraditable if they are punishable under the law of the requesting country and the law of New Zealand with at least one year of imprisonment under Section 4 of the Extradition Act. Double criminality is required under Section 4(2) of the Extradition Act.
Crimes Act 1961, Extradition Act 1999, 1961 (status as of 2019), 1999
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