Palmerston North employer sentenced for migrant exploitation

A Palmerston North company director was sentenced to 12 months' home detention after being found guilty of exploiting a migrant worker and unlawfully demanding tens of thousands of dollars during her employment. 

Dodamwalage Kalani Helikumari Jayawardhana, known as Kalani, was sentenced on 6 July 2026 to two years' imprisonment, to be served as 12 months' home detention, after being found guilty of three charges of migrant exploitation following a successful Immigration New Zealand (INZ) investigation.

"This was a serious abuse of power. A migrant worker came to New Zealand looking for opportunity and a better future. Instead, she was repeatedly pressured to hand over substantial sums of money to the very person who employed her," National Manager Investigations Jason Perry said.

The offending occurred while Jayawardhana was a director of Computer Express 24 Care Limited, a Palmerston North business.

The Court also ordered reparation of NZD $59,657.68, comprising wage arrears owed to the complainant, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) contributions, and NZD $15,000 that the employer had unlawfully demanded during the course of employment.

The victim, a Sri Lankan national employed by the company as an office manager, was subjected to repeated demands for money while seeking to build her future in New Zealand and progress her residence application. The offending involved substantial payments, including the repayment of wages she had earned and other payments amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.

Perry said the case was a serious example of an employer exploiting a vulnerable migrant worker for financial gain.

"No employer has the right to treat a worker like a source of income. This worker's wages should have been supporting her future, not funding her employer."

He said the offending struck at the heart of New Zealand's employment and immigration systems.

"People come to New Zealand to work hard, support themselves and create opportunities for themselves and their families.

"Employers who seek to profit from those aspirations are exploiting people at their most vulnerable.

"The harm caused by migrant exploitation goes far beyond financial loss. It can leave workers feeling trapped, isolated and afraid to speak up.

"No one should have to choose between standing up for their rights and risking their livelihood."

Perry said the outcome should serve as a warning to employers who seek to profit from vulnerable workers.

"These investigations can be lengthy and complex, but they are critically important,” he said.

"I want to acknowledge the courage and resilience of the victim in this case. Speaking up is not easy, particularly when your livelihood may depend on your employment.

"I also want to acknowledge the dedication of our investigators, whose persistence ensured this offending was uncovered and those responsible were held to account," Perry added.