UNICEF wants legislation introduced in New Zealand which targets forced marriages.

It comes following the story of a 17-year-old Pakistani woman who was held against her will and forced into a marriage in Wellington.

Executive director Dennis McKinlay says it's disappointing to hear of the case.

"You would think that the officials that gave out the marriage license should've been more alert to the fact that something wasn't right here, so I think some training of officials would also be useful."

Mr McKinlay says there was a select committee inquiry in 2010 which made a set of recommendations to protect young women who could be subjected to the practice.

He says the Government's yet to take on those recommendations, and there's one law in particular that he wants changed.

"If a child was taken out of the country and married at age 14 within a country that accepted that and then the parents brought that child back to New Zealand, the marriage would be accepted by New Zealand law even though they're under 16."

Mr McKinlay says there are about 25 cases of forced marriage a year in New Zealand.