A Samoan national accused of 18 counts of human trafficking and slavery says he intends to deny all the charges.
Viliamu Samu, also known as Joe Matamata, appeared in the Napier High Court this morning.
The 64-year-old orchard worker from Camberly in Hastings is accused of using 10 people as slaves in Hawke's Bay between 1994 and 2017 and also eight charges of arranging entry of people from Samoa to New Zealand by deceiving them between 2003 and 2017.
The victims allege Samu did not pay them for work completed, took their passports and were physically and verbally abused.
His defence lawyer, Roger Phillip, told Justice Peter Churchman in court that Samu intends to plead not guilty to the charges.
It is the first time someone in New Zealand has faced both human trafficking and slavery charges together and comes after a two-year joint investigation by immigration and police officers.
Each human trafficking charge faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison or a $500,000 fine. For a charge of slavery, the penalty can reach up to 14 years in prison.
Samu was remanded on bail to reappear in May, and a trial has been set down for next year.
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