It is not against the law to work as a sex worker or operate a brothel, nor is it against the law to pay for sexual services. It is also illegal to do sex work if you are visiting New Zealand on a temporary visa. These issues are discussed below. New Zealand is the only country in the world with a law which aims to uphold the human rights of sex workers and to decriminalise prostitution.
This means Sex workers can meet their clients in a variety of settings, such as a brothel, private dwelling, or outdoors. They can work for themselves, or with friends, from home or an apartment. Sex workers can also do street-based work, or work in brothels which are operated by someone else. There are a variety of different bodies which have responsibilities relating to various aspects of sex work businesses, just like any other workplace.
The laws pertaining to sex work are the same as those for other workplaces in this country; sex workers are able to have the same labour rights as workers in other occupations. The Prostitution Reform Act was passed in It replaced laws criminalising sex workers and third parties. Some councils have not allowed brothels to operate in some areas, however they cannot ban brothels outright. The Ministry of Health has published posters which spell out the requirements for safer sex practices.
These are available from NZPC and are free. If you need a work visa to be employed in New Zealand, you cannot legally come to this country and be a sex worker or brothel operator. If you hold a temporary visa, or if your permanent residency carries a special condition, you can be deported if you get caught working in the sex industry.
Note: NZPC supports all sex workers, whatever their immigration status. If you are under the age of 18, you are not breaking the law if you are in sex work. However, it is illegal for anyone to pay someone under the age of 18 for sex. Brothel operators, clients and even friends or workers aged 18 or over can be fined or imprisoned for facilitating people under the age of 18 into sex work. Even giving someone under the age of 18 a ride to work or making sure they have condoms may be considered to be facilitating.
