Immigration New Zealand investigating allegations of migrant sex work in Wellington
28 Apr, 2021 12:24 AM
2 minutes to read
Immigration New Zealand is assessing further information relating to allegations of migrant sex workers being at a Wellington motel. Photo / File
Immigration New Zealand is assessing further information relating to allegations of migrant sex workers being at a Wellington motel. Photo / File
Wellington issues reporter, NZ Heraldgeorgina.campbell@nzme.co.nz
Immigration New Zealand is looking into allegations of migrant sex workers being at the premises of a central Wellington motel.
Deputy Head of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Stephen Vaughan confirmed an investigation was under way.
Green Party co-leader and Associate Housing Minister Marama Davidson said some were living in inhumane, undignified situations and the way money was handed out to motels and other providers - with no strings attached - was unacceptable .
While this is not in her direct delegation , with emergency housing grants caretaken through MSD , she said there was a broad expectation of a basic level of provision and service - not just for the taxpayers money - which in itself is hefty and an unacceptable and ineffective cost for all of us. but also the cost of the cumulative harm .
From what she has heard from residents and those working on the frontline, Davidson was not satisfied emergency housing is fully safe for everybody ; some were made to feel barely human, seen primarily as a way for commercial motels to make quick money .
Inhumane conditions : Marama Davidson condemns emergency housing newstalkzb.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newstalkzb.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
There is no suggestion the alleged migrant sex workers were emergency housing clients. A spokeswoman for Harbour City “absolutely refuted” the allegations, stating she’d never received any complaints from guests, nor was she aware of the activity. “This is an unfair attack on our business,” she said, declining to be named. Harbour City has been paid $2.5m by the Ministry of Social Development since June 2017, according to official data. Last month it was raided by police, who seized methamphetamine, cannabis and stolen property. Detective Sergeant Charlie Munro said no arrests were made.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
Last month, Wellington police carried out a search warrant for drugs at Harbour City Motor Inn. (Video first published on March 2021).
Inhumane conditions : Green Party minister condemns some emergency housing rnz.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rnz.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.