How New Zealand’s biscuit tin is slowing action on modern slavery laws

In the New Zealand Parliament, the biscuit tin holds members’ bills in a ballot system.

Whether a bill is drawn determines if it progresses to debate, which is a historic practice that is now delaying urgent modern slavery laws.

The Global Slavery Index estimates that 50 million people are living in modern slavery globally, with 8,000 people in New Zealand.

The number of people in modern slavery is growing, and there has never been a more urgent time for the Government to act.

With Modern Slavery Bills (the Bills) now proposed by both the National and Labour parties, Aotearoa New Zealand stands at a tipping point to introduce legislation aimed at driving transparent and ethical supply chains.

This is critical to protect vulnerable workers but also to maintain competitiveness and trust in exports and brand.

The Bills both require businesses with revenue over NZD 50 million and companies otherwise identified as high risk to publicly report on modern slavery risks within their supply chains.

Further, they both update existing modern slavery legal definitions to align with international standards.

This reflects growing momentum more generally. In August 2025, the government announced a significant update to the Crimes Act 1961, strengthening the legal definition of trafficking in persons, particularly for children, to align Aotearoa New Zealand with international standards.

While having 2 bills in the biscuit tin increases the chances that one will be picked from the ballot process, there is now another way to expedite stalled progress on the private members’ bills.

A recent amendment to the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives allows bills with support from 61 non-executive members to go directly to the first reading, bypassing the usual procedure.

There is broad support to enact a modern slavery law across the government and within the business sector.

Business leaders are concerned that without legislative action, Aotearoa New Zealand will fall out of alignment with international peers, the national market may become a safe harbour for goods produced with forced labour, and long-term business value will be eroded by modern slavery risks.

All voters in Aotearoa New Zealand should contact their representatives to add their voices to the calls for modern slavery legislative action and urge their representatives to pledge their support for a comprehensive modern slavery law.

It is important to call on representatives to collaborate across party lines to bypass the biscuit tin.

If over 61 members pledge their support and progress efforts to combat modern slavery in New Zealand, the Bill can go to Parliament at the next sitting day.

Find your representative and contact them.