뉴질랜드에서 피해를 당했을 때: 워홀러·유학생·이민준비자 등 새로 온 모든 분을 위한 안내

What prevents reporting is not lack of will, but lack of information. Use this one article to understand your rights.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For specific advice, contact the free legal support service Community Law. Contact details and links are current as of July 2026.

Introduction

"If I report it, will it affect my visa?"

Because of this fear, many working holiday makers and international students endure harm alone without reporting it.

But please remember this.

No time limit : Sexual offences can be reported even years later.
Possible after returning home : You can report even after going back to your home country.
Anonymous consultation available : You can get advice without giving your name.
Free interpreting : You can get help in your own language.
No visa disadvantage : Reporting harm will not worsen your visa situation.

1. Sexual offences can be reported at any time

In New Zealand, serious crimes such as sexual offences have no reporting deadline. You can report something that happened weeks ago, years ago, or even decades ago.

It is okay if you are not ready now. You can do it when you feel ready. The passage of time does not erase your rights.

2. You can report even after returning to your home country

You can still report even if you have already left New Zealand.

Inquiries about reporting a sexual offence from overseas : Police Adult Sexual Assault Team email ASA@police.govt.nz
If you are in immediate danger : 111 (emergency)
To report a past incident : 105 or online at 105.police.govt.nz

3. You can start with anonymous advice without giving your name

Safe to Talk (0800 044 334) is a free support service available to anyone who has experienced sexual harm.

24 hours, free, confidential
Call 0800 044 334 / text 4334 / webchat safetotalk.nz
You do not have to give your name
There is no obligation to report to the police. You decide whether to report

💡 It is the easiest first point of contact when you think, "I am not sure about reporting yet, but I want to talk to someone first."

4. Interpreting is free

It is okay if your English is limited. Police, government agencies, and support services all provide free interpreting. Languages from across Asia are supported, including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Tagalog.

💡 When you call, you can simply say in English "Interpreter, please. Korean." and wait.

5. Reporting does not create visa disadvantages

Being a victim of crime does not harm your visa. New Zealand law protects everyone regardless of visa type.

If you were exploited at work (unpaid wages, being paid below minimum wage, threats using your visa as leverage, etc.)

Report it to 0800 200 088. Anonymous reports are possible, and interpreting is available in more than 180 languages.
Report online : reportmigrantexploitation.employment.govt.nz
If exploitation is recognised, you may be granted a Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV). Cost $0, up to 6 months. You can leave the abusive employer, stay lawfully, and look for a new job.

If you experienced family violence from a partner

There are separate visas for victims of family violence (Work Visa, Resident Visa). Cost $0.

6. Labour rights are the same regardless of visa

Workers on temporary visas also have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealanders. This is true even if you worked in breach of your visa conditions.

Minimum wage : $23.95 per hour (from April 2026). This applies equally to working holiday makers and backpackers.
A written contract, paid leave, and rest breaks are also basic rights.
If there is a problem : Employment New Zealand 0800 20 90 20 (from overseas +64 9 969 2950)
You can claim unpaid wages within 6 years.

7. If there is a problem in a homestay

International students : Schools are legally responsible for student safety and wellbeing. If the school's complaint process does not resolve the issue, ask NZQA for help, and for money-related issues, use the free dispute resolution service Study Complaints.
Shared houses and boarding houses : You can get free help from Tenancy Services.
If there is violence or a threat : Do not worry about procedures—call 111 immediately.

8. The government supports counselling and treatment costs

If you have experienced sexual harm in New Zealand, anyone including visitors can receive free counselling and treatment through ACC.

You can use it even if you do not report to the police.
It is okay even if it happened a long time ago.
You can start through Safe to Talk (0800 044 334) or findsupport.co.nz.

9. Preserve evidence like this

Back up text messages, messenger conversations (KakaoTalk, WeChat, LINE, etc.), emails, photos, payslips, and medical records.
Keep a separate copy of your employment contract.
If it is immediately after sexual assault, getting a medical examination before washing, if possible, can help preserve evidence. Safe to Talk or the police can connect you. Even if time has passed, reporting and support are still possible.

10. Your voice helps prevent the next harm

Exploitative bosses, homestay hosts who cross boundaries, and sexual offenders have one thing in common. If no one reports them, they repeat the same behaviour. And the next target is often another working holiday maker or another international student in a situation like yours.

In reality, police and labour inspectors may sometimes find it difficult to act on a single report alone, but when reports accumulate, they can identify patterns and begin an investigation. Even one anonymous report becomes a piece of that puzzle.

Reporting is not an obligation, but an act of courage you can take when you are ready. That courage can become a shield for someone else.

11. Caution: Do not post the offender's real name online

You may feel tempted to reveal the offender's name on a community site or social media out of frustration. But in New Zealand, this can instead create a risk that you may be sued for defamation. Even if you do not write the name directly, it can still be a problem if people can identify who it is.

Seek resolution not through public exposure but through official channels. The police, Employment New Zealand, schools, and NZQA are those channels. That is the way to protect yourself, and it is also far more effective for achieving a real resolution.

📞 Quick Contacts

🚨 Emergency

Emergency (Police · Fire · Ambulance) : 111 · If you are in danger now or it has just happened

🚔 Police Reports

Police non-emergency : 105 / 105.police.govt.nz · Report past incidents, online reporting Police Adult Sexual Assault Team (from overseas) : ASA@police.govt.nz · Inquiries about reporting crimes in New Zealand after returning home

💬 Counselling · Victim Support

Safe to Talk : 0800 044 334 / text 4334 / safetotalk.nz · 24-hour free and confidential support for sexual harm, interpreting available Victim Support : 0800 842 846 · 24-hour support for crime victims, interpreting available HELP Auckland : 0800 623 1700 / text 8236 · 24-hour sexual violence crisis support in Auckland 1737 (Need to Talk?) : call or text 1737 · Free 24-hour mental health support ACC / Find Support : findsupport.co.nz · Free sexual violence counselling and treatment, including for visitors

💼 Work · Visa

Report migrant worker exploitation : 0800 200 088 / online report · Report exploitation (anonymous possible), MEPV, interpreting in 180+ languages Employment New Zealand : 0800 20 90 20 (overseas +64 9 969 2950) · Wage and employment issues, free mediation Immigration New Zealand : 0508 558 855 · Visa inquiries (Mon–Fri 6:00–22:00)

🏠 Housing · International Students

Tenancy Services : tenancy.govt.nz · Boarding house and tenancy issues Study Complaints : studycomplaints.org.nz · Free mediation for international student contract and financial disputes NZQA : nzqa.govt.nz · Report breaches of the Education Code of Pastoral Care

⚖️ Legal

Community Law : communitylaw.org.nz · Free legal advice

Closing

You did nothing wrong.

There is no time limit, you can report after returning to your home country, anonymous support is available, interpreting is free, and your visa is safe. And every decision is yours from beginning to end.

You do not have to report right away. Start with anonymous support (Safe to Talk 0800 044 334). Asking for help is not weakness—it is the bravest way to protect yourself. And that one step can also become a shield that protects someone who comes after you.

You are not alone.

Sources and Reference Links

Criminal Procedure Act 2011 : The most serious crimes can be prosecuted at any time without a time limit (section 25).
Crimes Act 1961 s128 : Legal definition of sexual violation, maximum sentence of 20 years.
NZ Police : Incidents from years ago can still be reported; people living overseas can inquire at ASA@police.govt.nz.
Victims Information : Whether to report is your choice.
NZ Police 105 : Non-emergency phone and online reporting.
Safe to Talk : Free, confidential, 24-hour support, no obligation to report to police, interpreting in 44 languages.
Employment New Zealand : Report exploitation at 0800 200 088, 180+ languages, anonymous possible, migrant workers have the same labour rights.
Immigration NZ MEPV : Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa, cost $0, up to 6 months. (From 31 October 2024, a second grant is abolished.)
Immigration NZ visa for victims of family violence : Cost $0.
Community Law : Reporting violence does not mean you will be denied a visa or become unable to stay; wage claims can be made within 6 years.
MBIE minimum wage : Adult minimum wage $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026.
ACC : Anyone, including visitors, can receive free counselling and treatment; no police report required.
Find Support : Find an ACC therapist.
Victim Support : 0800 842 846, 24 hours.
HELP Auckland : 0800 623 1700, 24 hours.
1737 : Mental health support, free and 24 hours.
Tenancy Services : Boarding house and tenancy rights.
Study Complaints / NZQA : Free mediation for international student disputes, Education Code of Pastoral Care.
Defamation Act 1992 : Defamation risk of posting real names online.

Let’s settle in together.

If this article helped you, please share it with working holiday makers and international student friends around you. One piece of information can be a great source of courage for someone.

👉 www.hanahub.co.nz 📷 @hanahubnz

If You Have Been Harmed in New Zealand: A Guide for Working Holiday Makers, International Students, Future Migrants, and All New Arrivals