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UPDATED 2.34pm The government is being told to crack down on worker exploitation.

LISTEN ABOVE: Peter Mihaere speaks to Rachel Smalley

A report by the Human Trafficking Research Coalition found exploitation is rife in New Zealand work places - particularly in the horticulture, hospitality and international education industries.

The study found people are working 80-90 hour weeks for $500, only being paid for half the hours they work and paying their own salary to "buy" permanent residency.

CEO Peter Mihaere said the research is the first of it's kind for New Zealand.

"There's the cliche of the tip of the iceberg but we think that that is only a starting place. The level of this is actually quite intense."

Mr Mihaere said the government has a responsibility to ensure the processes are in place to stop exploitation from happening.

"If there needs to be legislative chances then they need to consider that. They need to think about the plan of action for New Zealand is, so the government do have a lot to do."

However, the horticulture industry is completely dismissing the report.

Horticulture New Zealand CEO Mike Chapman said the report is simply wrong.