More than four thousand legal sex workers operate in New Zealand at any one time. On top of that, there are "illegal foreign" workers, but officials don't know how many. Officials say the problem is getting worse.
The law says travellers on temporary work visas cannot provide sexual services, and foreigners with resident visas can't operate or invest in a prostitution business. Despite that, hundreds are still trying. Between July and May this year, suspected or known foreign sex workers were refused entry to New Zealand. Another 43 were stopped from boarding or offloaded from aircraft before heading here.
The practice was made illegal, so New Zealand wouldn't become a haven for sex-trafficking. On Wednesday, Newshub spoke with one prominent South Island brothel owner, who says she knows it happens - the worst of it in Auckland.
Despite that, some, including the Prostitutes Collective, say migrants should legally be able to work. Recent research suggests most illegal sex workers aren't being exploited, but Immigration NZ says it will continue to investigate the industry, and notify brothels of their obligations.
It says anyone forced to stay here or engage in sex work against their will should contact officials, so they can stop the exploitation.
