Joseph Matamata

Joseph Auga Matamata^[1] (born 1953 or 1954) is a New Zealand-based Samoan chief and slave trader.^[2] He is the first person in New Zealand to be convicted of using someone as a slave, and the first to be charged with both human trafficking and slavery.^[2][3][4]

The offences were committed between 1994 and 2019, and involved 13 people. Following a five-week trial at the Napier High Court, Matamata was convicted of 10 counts of trafficking, and 13 counts of slavery.^[3] In July 2020 he was sentenced to 11 years in jail, and reparations of NZ$180,000.^[5] He also forfeited two properties where the offences occurred.^[2]