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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is strengthening its efforts to combat trafficking in persons and people smuggling through strategic partnerships across Southeast Asia.
At the heart of this mission is a dedicated team of Irregular Migration Liaison Officers, experienced New Zealand Police Officers working offshore to disrupt trafficking networks and protect vulnerable communities.
Building regional alliances
Since 2022, Senior Liaison Officer Ben Quinn has been based in Bangkok, Thailand, working alongside colleagues stationed in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Together, they form a regional network focused on early intervention and harm prevention in the immigration system.
A key part of their work involves collaborating with local law enforcement and non-government organisations (NGOs) to identify risks and support safe migration pathways.
“Building strong relationships with our regional and global partners is vital to disrupt trafficking networks. It allows us to build trust, develop coordinated strategies, share intelligence, protect victims and hold criminal actors to account”
Empowering youth in Vietnam
One of the team’s most impactful partnerships is with the Pacific Links Foundation, a respected and trusted NGO in Vietnam. This organisation supports at-risk youth and survivors of trafficking, helping them rebuild their lives and avoid exploitation.
Through this partnership, INZ is supporting initiatives to increase the communities understanding of what trafficking in persons is, how you can spot the signs and how to report it or get help. These initiatives include:
- Media support like, Social media awareness campaigns and Pacific Links’ “Safe Migration Passport” that support safe migration by Vietnamese nationals.
- Community outreach including awareness-raising and outreach events building vulnerable communities’ resilience to trafficking risks.
- Training for frontline workers who assist trafficking victims.
“These efforts are already making a difference,” says Ben Quinn. “We recently supported a trafficking survivor’s safe return to Vietnam, thanks to our relationship with Pacific Links”. “Keeping migrants safe, both in Vietnam and New Zealand, is what drives us to collaborate.”
Supporting a Kiwi-led refuge on the Thai-Myanmar border
Ben also visited the Bamboo School, a safe haven for children on the Thailand-Myanmar border. For 27 years New Zealander Catherine Riley-Bryan, has provided shelter, education, and care to over 700 children—many of whom are orphans, stateless, or survivors of trafficking.
The school proudly flies the flags of Thailand, New Zealand, and Karen State, and the children learn in English, Karen, and Thai. They even sing the New Zealand national anthem and perform the haka in Te Reo Māori.
“The Bamboo School is a powerful example of Kiwi values in action,” says Ben. “We’re exploring ways to support Catherine’s work and help protect children in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.”
How you can help
To learn more about recognising and reporting human trafficking, visit:
Get help for victims of people trafficking
To support the work of the Pacific Links Foundation, visit:
