ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief outline of the history of sex worker organising in New Zealand, and explores the campaign for decriminalisation and the very unique role that sex workers played in this collaborative process. It discusses the Prostitution Reform Act (PRA) that underpins New Zealand’s integrative approach in relation to how it supports sex worker rights and organising to challenge exploitation. Sex worker activism exists throughout the world, but New Zealand remains the only country where sex workers have been joined by such a diverse range of other actors in calling for decriminalisation. Under decriminalisation, the New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective continues to play a significant role in defending sex workers’ rights. The law in place in New Zealand is not the only unique factor, however, what also differentiates New Zealand to other countries is the influence that sex worker organising has had on sex work policy and law, and the process of law change.
