The first conviction for people trafficking in this country comes as no surprise to an organisation that campaigns against the practice.

Faroz Ali was yesterday convicted after a three week trial at the High Court in Auckland.

The 46-year-old was the mastermind behind an elaborate human trafficking scam that enticed and exploited Fijian workers here.

Stand Against Slavery chief executive Peter Mihaere told Rachel Smalley it may be a surprise for many New Zealanders that human trafficking exists here.

"But for many of us in this space for quite some time, we know it's there. What this trial and conviction does is bring it out into the light."

Mihaere said Immigration New Zealand's Serious Offences Unit has done a fantastic job.

"They were able to start to piece together evidence that took some time, but got there in the end, to tell Mr Ali that he couldn't trade in human beings in New Zealand."

Peter Mihaere said every industry could be susceptible to human trafficking but it's more likely in jobs New Zealanders don't want to do.