Samoan chief who enslaved villagers sentenced to 11 years in New Zealand

New Zealand-based Joseph Auga Matamata used 13 of his countrymen as slaves over a quarter of century

A New Zealand-based Samoan chief has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for human trafficking and using 13 of his countrymen as slaves over a 25-year period.

Joseph Auga Matamata, 65, also known as Villiamu Samu, was found guilty on 10 counts of trafficking and 13 counts of slavery following a five-week trial at the high court in Napier in March.