Human trafficking is rarely a topic talked about in New Zealand, often mistaken as an overseas problem.

LISTEN ABOVE: Human trafficking expert Carter Quinley spoke to Newstalk ZB.

However, an expert on the practise Carter Quinley says we are not immune to the problem, and our first conviction for the offence just six days ago proves that.

She says around 45 million people around the world are currently enslaved in a global practice, worth around US$115 billion a year.

Ms Quinley said evolving online communication technologies and social networks has made it easier for traffickers to manipulate and control people around the world.

"We live in a very globalised community and a globalised world. You can see organised criminal networks that are operating through out the globe and that absolutely affects New Zealand.

"They're going online, they're using chat rooms, they're using Facebook to recruit victims, so I actually think because of globalisation and the way our world is more connected it absolutely is a bigger problem now."

Newstalk ZB’s Josh Price caught up with Carter to learn more about how widespread the problem is, how New Zealanders can help, and how we can avoid accidentally funding the organisations behind human trafficking.