About us
VERI-Mi aims to combat migrant exploitation in New Zealand. Our website and app will help you understand your rights, collect proof of underpayment of wages and other breaches, and connect you with free legal help.

Our Vision
To stop migrant exploitation in New Zealand by empowering workers to stand up for their rights
How will we do this?
Help you understand your rights
Help you collect evidence of employment breaches
Connect you with free legal help
Help you obtain compensation and hold your employer accountable
Victims
Exploitation
Rights
Immigration
Migrants
VERI-Mi stands for "Verification"
With VERI-Mi you can verify your rights, your work hours and wages
Trusted and Independent
VERI-Mi (pronounced Very-Mee) is a registered charitable trust, independent of the government.
Our trustees are experts in migrant exploitation advocacy, human rights, and the hospitality sector.
VERI-Mi stands for “Verification” – the app verifies information about your employment to support claims against exploitative employers.
Our website and app help you to:
01
Understand your rights
This website and the VERI-Mi app provide you with information, tools and resources about your employment and other rights
02
Collect evidence
Know what evidence to collect to support your case. Use the VERI-Mi app to track your workplace location, hours and wages
03
Get free legal help
Talk to a Community Lawyer anywhere in New Zealand
04
Verify your claims and any payments owing to you
Work with your lawyer to assess how strong your case is
05
Know what to expect
Understand the process and your path to justice
06
Feel more in control and confident
We know there is a lot going on, but we are here to help you
Who is behind VERI-Mi?
Dhilum Nightingale
Barrister & Founder of VERI-Mi
VERI-Mi was set up in 2023 by Dhilum Nightingale, a barrister in Wellington, who is committed to ending migrant exploitation in New Zealand.
Dhilum is a barrister at Kate Sheppard Chambers. She is of Sri Lanka descent. Dhilum is passionate about supporting vulnerable people in ethnic and migrant communities. Her work through Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley has given her a deep empathy for the experiences many migrants face, including as victim survivors of workplace exploitation and family violence.
The resources in the VERI-Mi website and app are developed from Dhilum’s experiences over many years as an advocate for exploited migrants, including through raising personal grievances and wage arrears claims, attending mediations, providing immigration advice, negotiating settlements with employers, and representing victims of exploitation in the Employment Relations Authority. Dhilum’s work in this area is provided for free through Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley, and Dhilum also supports other employment and immigration lawyers in other Community Law Centres throughout New Zealand to advocate for victims of exploitation.
Our Trustees
Brent Burmester
Brent is a Senior Lecturer in International Business at the University of Auckland Business School. He is a member and co-founder of the Centre for Research on Modern Slavery, which focuses on global supply chain slavery and migrant exploitation in New Zealand.
Marisa Bidois
Marisa Bidois (Ngāti Ranginui) is the Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand. Prior to that, Marisa worked as an employment relations adviser and professional development manager, and also worked in a range of hospitality roles. Marisa has a variety of leadership roles, including with the Auckland Regional Skills Leadership Group.
Vinod Bal
Vinod Bal (he/him) is a human rights activist focusing on the rights of LGBTQI+ people and ethnic minorities. He is a legal researcher and a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Our Supporters
Thanks to the following organisations for their generous support







Join our movement
We’re always looking for lawyers, employment advocates and cultural advisors to join our pro bono team.
