Political Ranks Break: National and Labour Join Forces to Push Modern Slavery Bill

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Political Bureau

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (Thursday, January 29, 2026) — In a rare display of cross-party unity, National and Labour MPs have teamed up to ensure the proposed Modern Slavery Bill is heard in Parliament, circumventing a blockade from the ACT Party.

The collaboration comes after the ACT Party officially objected to the bill’s progression, citing concerns over “regulatory red tape” and the potential compliance costs for New Zealand businesses. However, supporters from across the aisle argue that New Zealand is lagging behind international standards in ensuring supply chains are free from forced labor.

🏛️ A Rare Alliance in the Beehive

The partnership marks a significant moment in the current parliamentary term, as high-profile members from the two largest parties find common ground on human rights legislation.

The Objective: To move the bill into the Select Committee stage, allowing for public submissions and expert testimony despite the government coalition’s internal friction.
The Conflict: While National is part of the governing coalition with ACT, several National MPs have voiced strong moral and economic arguments for the bill, aligning them—at least on this issue—with the Labour opposition.
ACT’s Stance: ACT remains firm that the bill would impose “unnecessary burdens” on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during an already difficult economic period.

📜 What is the Modern Slavery Bill?

The proposed legislation seeks to bring New Zealand in line with partners like Australia and the UK. If passed, it would require large organizations to be transparent about their supply chains.

Mandatory Reporting: Companies with a certain revenue threshold would have to disclose risks of modern slavery in their operations.
Global Reputation: Proponents argue that “NZ Inc” risks its reputation by not having a legal framework to address slave labor in imported goods.
Public Support: Recent polling suggests a majority of New Zealanders support laws that ensure the products they buy are ethically sourced.

📊 The Divide: Support vs. Opposition

Group	Key Stance	Primary Argument
National (Pro-Bill)	Support for progression	Ethical global trade and brand protection.
Labour	Strong Support	Human rights and international compliance.
ACT Party	Strong Objection	Compliance costs and “red tape” for business.
Business NZ	Mixed/Cautious	Support for ethics, but concerns over implementation.

💬 “A Moral Imperative”

Speaking on behalf of the cross-party group, a spokesperson noted that modern slavery is not a “left or right” issue.

“This is about who we are as a country. We cannot claim to be a nation of fair go and high standards while turning a blind eye to how some of our goods are produced. This alliance shows that when it comes to basic human dignity, politics can and should take a back seat.”

The bill is expected to be tabled for its next reading in the coming weeks, with the National-Labour bloc confident they have the numbers to override the procedural objections.