Modern Slavery in Value Chains: Business Risks and Responsibilities

Aotearoa New Zealand is one of the few OECD countries without modern slavery legislation. However, Kiwi businesses cannot afford to ignore this responsibility. 

Transparent and ethical supply chains are essential for businesses wanting to export, secure finance and insurance, and achieve tendering advantages in procurement. 

Join Eco Choice Aotearoa and Edge Impact for a vital conversation on modern slavery and human rights risks in your value chain. Learn how your business can not only mitigate risks but also build a strong business case for taking proactive steps to identify, manage and prevent these issues.

We'll cover:

• An overview of modern slavery and human rights, and how they impact your business.
• The updated modern slavery and social accountability requirements in Eco Choice standards and the rationale behind them.
• What your business needs to know to meet global trade expectations and obligations. 
• The investment, lending, and insurance implications for businesses with modern slavery risks in their value chain, and how these factors influence investor portfolios and confidence.

Our Speakers

Facilitated by Laura Gemmell, CEO of Eco Choice Aotearoa, you'll also hear from:  

• Dr Andrea Edwards, Head of Standards at Eco Choice Aotearoa. Andrea not only has a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Auckland, but is currently conducting a study on the drivers and impacts of environmental injustice on ethnic communities in Tāmaki Makaurau. Outside of her environmental work, Andrea is a programme facilitator with the Peace Foundation; responsible for teaching conflict resolution skills to secondary students. 

• Rebecca Kingi, ESG Initiatives Lead at ANZ. Rebecca is a subject matter expert in human trafficking, slavery, and labour rights and exploitation, as well as modern slavery and human rights risks in operations and supply chains. Beyond her enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. With a background in litigation, employment law, and dispute resolution, Rebecca has transitioned to human rights practice, engaging in strategic litigation and providing legal representation to survivors of labor exploitation and human trafficking. She has also advised governments and stakeholders on modern slavery legislation and delivered training to businesses, public authorities, and frontline organizstions. 

• Nick Dexter, Principal Consultant, Human Rights & Modern Slavery Lead at Edge Impact. Nick is passionate about the intersection of business and human rights. His work spans international field research, the development of traceability systems, and designing governance frameworks that help procurement teams build trust and accountability across high-risk supply chains. Currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Wollongong, Nick is developing an accountability framework grounded in direct worker voice data — aiming to address exploitation at an industry-wide level.
• More speakers TBC

Agenda

• 4:00pm - Arrival & networking (light catering will be provided)
• 4:30pm - Panel discussion
• 5:45pm to 6:00pm - Event Finishes