Joseph Matamata
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Joseph Auga Matamata[1] (born 1953 or 1954) is a New Zealand-based Samoan chief and slave trader.[2] He is the first person in New Zealand to be convicted of using someone as a slave, and the first to be charged with both human trafficking and slavery.[2][3][4]
The offences were committed between 1994 and 2019, and involved 13 people. Following a five-week trial at the Napier High Court, Matamata was convicted of 10 counts of trafficking, and 13 counts of slavery.[3] In July 2020 he was sentenced to 11 years in jail, and reparations of NZ$180,000.[5] He also forfeited two properties where the offences occurred.[2]
