Brothels around the country have been visited by Immigration compliance officers. An Immigration New Zealand investigation into illegal prostitution has found visitors are working in breach of their visas around the country, and are getting help to enter New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand compliance and border operations assistant general manager Peter Devoy said most of the suburban owner-operated brothels entered by compliance officers had migrants working there.
Compliance officers entered 45 businesses where they suspected unlawful activity in cities nationwide in October and November last year. They found 38 temporary visa holders working as prostitutes in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, the majority in Christchurch and Auckland. All but one of the workers were Chinese nationals.
Mr Devoy said in a statement, from July to present, suspected sex workers were refused entry to the country. The investigation found no evidence of exploitation and that migrant sex workers are more likely to operate from motels and temporary residences. One of the illegal workers was deported, most left New Zealand voluntarily and four remain in the country at unknown locations. Prostitute Jane Summers said she was surprised the number of illegal sex workers found by compliance officers was not higher.
She said she believed it would be "very easy" for an organiser to arrange for women to come to New Zealand to work from other countries. Ms Summers said everyone should have the right to be a sex worker in New Zealand. Prostitution in New Zealand is legal for citizens and permanent residents, as well as Australians. More Stories. Man allegedly threatened to shoot and stab Auckland bus passengers.
Police responded "immediately" to the incident on a packed NX1 bus last night. Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said the community can expect an ongoing police presence in the area as the size of the operation, believed to be a commercial setup, is determined.
