CASE STUDY

From sector insight to national policy

Influencing Aotearoa’s response to trafficking.

The challenge

In early 2025, Aotearoa’s anti-trafficking sector understood that the country’s National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons, due to expire that year, was not expected to be renewed.

For practitioners across the sector, this was a significant concern. A national action plan provides an important strategic framework for coordinating government action, setting priorities and strengthening the country’s response to trafficking.

Rather than individual organisations responding separately, OFN brought sector leaders together to develop a collective, evidence-based response.

Turning collective expertise into advocacy

OFN convened a series of collaborative hui, facilitated by a survivor leader, to examine what Aotearoa needed from its next national action plan. Participants analysed the existing plan (what had worked and where gaps remained) alongside international human rights recommendations made to the New Zealand Government and examples of good practice from other countries.

From this process, OFN developed Working Together for a Stronger Response, a briefing paper setting out the sector’s priorities and recommendations for a future plan.

OFN representatives were subsequently invited to Wellington to discuss the recommendations with the Government’s Trafficking in Persons team, followed by an opportunity to raise them directly with Minister Costello.

What changed?

In 2026, the Government confirmed that a new Trafficking in Persons National Action Plan would be developed. OFN members played a significant role in the consultation and development process, contributing expertise through hui, meetings and workshops.

Most significantly, the sector’s earlier work was not left on the shelf: 14 of 19 proposed priority activities discussed at one government development workshop originated from recommendations in OFN’s briefing paper. The draft plan is now progressing through the Government approval process.