Upper Hutt car company fined for exploiting migrant workers
Friday 25 September 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated 
Autopride Cars Limited has been fined $100,000 and ordered to pay over $70,000 in reparations for exploiting two migrant workers. The workers were paid approximately $11 an hour and faced unsafe housing conditions while on visitor visas. One worker was reportedly told to hide from immigration officials during a compliance check.
Key facts
4 facts
- Autopride Cars Limited fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $70,654.06 in reparations
- Exploitation occurred during 2023 involving two workers on visitor visas
- Workers received $100 cash per day for roughly nine-hour shifts
- The company lost its employer accreditation
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Autopride Cars Limited has been fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $70,654.06 in reparations for exploiting two migrant workers. The company was convicted in the Hutt Valley District Court in May on two charges of exploiting temporary or unlawful workers during 2023. Immigration New Zealand also confirmed the company has lost its employer accreditation.
The two workers, who arrived in New Zealand on visitor visas, were paid approximately $11 an hour in cash. They typically worked nine-hour days at least six days a week without employment agreements, tax registration, or basic worker protections. Pay was irregular, and workers had to repeatedly ask for money to afford food and personal items.
Managers promised to arrange work visas and requested documents, but no applications were ever lodged or processed. Immigration New Zealand national manager investigations Jason Perry said, “The investigation found that the workers’ immigration status was used to control them and keep them silent”. One worker was told to hide from immigration officers during a compliance visit.
The workers eventually left the company following intervention by Immigration New Zealand due to fear for their safety and ongoing exploitation. One worker felt unable to leave because of management pressure and concern for a family member employed at the same company.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and NZ Herald.