Three ways a Modern Slavery Law could make a difference 

Despite our Kiwi pride in going barefoot, nearly 80% of us bought a new pair of shoes last year¹, likely without a second thought. Behind those boots, sandals, sneakers and slippers is a hidden story.  

The Story We Can't See  

New Zealand imports millions of pairs of shoes each year. About 92% come from countries where the footwear industry has well-documented links to low wages, unsafe factories, child labour, and modern slavery².  

That’s nine out of ten shoes in Aotearoa.  

Think kids in toxic tannery vats, people forced onto cotton farms, and women in factories working long hours earning barely enough to eat.  

Some brands are trying to do better. But voluntary action will only go so far. 

Unlike Australia, the UK and other countries, New Zealand has no law that requires large companies to report on human rights risks in their supply chains. 

Our government has the power to change this. 

Right now, modern slavery reporting bills from both National and Labour MPs are sitting in the members’ bill ballot. If just 61 MPs give their endorsement, one could be fast-tracked into law.  

If either bill passes, here’s what could change. 
 

1. We could have greater transparency 

Right now, shoe labels say “Designed in New Zealand” or “Made in Indonesia” but nothing about who made them or under what conditions. Companies may or may not know what sort of conditions their products are made under, but what’s important is that under NZ law they don’t have to know, and they don’t have to tell us.  

Nearly half of New Zealanders say “not knowing which brands to support” stops them from shopping more ethically³. One in three say they don’t know where to find reliable information⁴.  

With a public modern slavery statement registry, you could walk into a shop and quickly look up the company’s supply chain risks and how they’re responding. Seven of the 10 most popular footwear companies in Aotearoa already publish some form of modern slavery statement, but only because they sell in overseas countries where it’s legally required.  

Regulation works, and Kiwis want it – 95% said the burden of shopping ethically shouldn’t fall on shoppers alone, with 63% saying the government should be involved in holding companies accountable⁵.  

2. Companies could finally understand their supply chains  

Many businesses don’t know what happens deep in their supply chains. Layers of factories, farms, and subcontractors make them complex. However, the main reason is because brands are not required to look. And deep in those layers is where the worst abuses hide. 

A modern slavery law would require companies to publicly report on the exploitation and slavery risks in their supply chains and how they will address them. To do this, businesses would need to assess their supply chains and identify high-risk countries, suppliers, or production methods linked to forced or child labour. Vague statements like “we didn’t know” would no longer be acceptable. 

Six of the 10 most popular footwear brands already run labour-rights checks across their supply chains, thanks to Australia’s law, not ours⁶.   

3. It could level the playing field for companies who are already trying 

Right now, companies investing in better practices bear higher costs while competing against brands that cut corners, ignore risks, and price their products lower because someone else is quietly bearing the burden instead. Investing in ethical supply chains is the right thing. But it comes at a price.  

Legislation would set a single standard for all large companies. Those already taking responsibility wouldn’t be undercut by competitors turning a blind eye, and newcomers would have a clear roadmap to improve. 

Tearfund supports both bills but is calling for one crucial step further: mandatory human rights due diligence.   

If either of the bills goes a step further and includes due-diligence requirements, this could bring about real change for people trapped in slavery 

Transparency is critical, but it isn’t enough. Current laws rely on the will of consumers. A due-diligence requirement would shift responsibility back to companies. 

That means not only identifying risks but actively addressing them: 

• Sending independent inspectors to farms, factories and tanneries. 

• Setting up safe grievance systems so workers can report abuse without retaliation 

• Providing remedies when abuses are found, from backpay to relocation to legal support. 

Right now, not a single one of the most popular footwear brands monitor more than 25% of their raw-material facilities⁷. Only three have effective grievance systems at that stage, as well as any process to respond to violations⁸. That’s not good enough.  

Because these are huge companies, even small changes can transform thousands of workers’ lives. 

The Missing Piece OR Our chance to change the system 

New Zealand prides itself on fairness. Modern slavery legislation would align our laws with our values, protect workers around the world and give shoppers the transparency they’re asking for.  

This is our chance to change the system so the shoes on our feet don’t cost someone else’s freedom. 

Find out more about the Ethical Footwear Research here. 

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Footnotes:
1. Horizon Research (commissioned by Tearfund), New Zealanders’ Views on Ethical Shopping, December 2024. Survey of 1,028 New Zealanders. 
2. World Vision New Zealand Risky Goods Supply Chain Risk Report (2023) 
3. Horizon Research (2024). 
4. Ibid. 
5. Ibid. 
6. 2024 Ethical Fashion Report, Baptist World Aid 
7. Ibid. 
8. Ibid