Indonesians dying in the Southern Ocean

In most cases the men were rapidly repatriated before detailing their claims. That situation changed after the Oyang 70 sank and police interviewed the survivors.

Separate from the University research has been a ministerial inquiry. Submissions from ship owners and agents denied allegations of cruelty and bad management. The inquiry has made 15 recommendations. So far only six have been accepted.

The government is stalling on the rest, including the key points that foreign vessels be re-flagged to NZ so all local laws apply, and NZ observers sail with the ships to ensure compliance. These await the coroner's findings later this year.

A letter from the widows read to the inquest by Craig Tuck, a lawyer who helped found the NGO Slave-Free Sea, spoke of "the heart-wrenching loss of our loved ones, yet we still do not know what happened to cause their demise."

Maybe next time Mr Yudhoyono meets Mr Key the President can ask about progress in rectifying human rights abuses in NZ's seas.