Three Malaysians were today jailed after becoming the first people in New Zealand to be convicted of human smuggling.

Lee Heng, his wife Chan Koi Hen, and daughter-in-law Chua Lay Kheng appeared in Blenheim District Court Thursday for sentencing on a range of charges after bringing Malaysians to work illegally in vineyards picking grapes.

Jailing Lee, 53, for two years, Judge David McKegg said he was the principal offender and a deterrent sentence was needed. Chan, 51, was sentenced to nine months jail, while Chua, 30, was sent to jail for six months.

Prosecutor Glen Marshall told the court said the offences were purely profit-driven and based on the exploitation of vulnerable workers.

The three last month pleaded guilty to 24 charges under the Immigration Act.

Evidence at the earlier court hearing heard from six Malaysians who said they had been lured to New Zealand last year by a tempting offer from Lee, Chua and Chan to work in Marlborough vineyards.

It emerged that before they left Malaysia they paid money to the trio in order to "facilitate" their passage through immigration and for work permits. - AFP