A Hawke's Bay man has been penalised for exploiting migrants with a sham horticulture business

Gautam Rajan Kapur hired four Singaporean women to do pruning work for his company, Sunrise Hort Limited.

The women worked for five days, but were not paid.

To avoid personal responsibility, Kapur set up his business in someone else's name, claiming he was merely an employee.

The Employment Relations Authority has ordered him to pay more than 25 thousand dollars in penalties.