A National Focus
His
Excellency The Honourable Anand Satyanand,
Governor-General of New Zealand, UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-Moon at the Franklin
Delano Roosevelt International Disability Awards
2008.
Human Rights in New Zealand
New Zealand is committed to ensuring that our international human rights obligations are upheld through appropriate domestic legislation and policy measures.
New Zealand has ratified and implemented legislation for all core United Nations (UN) human rights treaties in force and regularly submits reports to relevant treaty bodies with whom it engages in frank and constructive in dialogue. These reports provide an excellent overview of New Zealand’s domestic human rights framework.
New Zealand maintains a standing invitation to all United Nations Special Procedures. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission was established in 1978 and is funded by the Government as an independent entity to advocate and promote respect for the protection of human rights and to encourage the development of harmonious race relations in accordance with UN human rights instruments.
New Zealand has a dynamic and knowledgeable civil society, which works closely with government on human rights issues both domestically and within our region.
New Zealand takes a very progressive and consultative approach to addressing Maori issues – the indigenous people of New Zealand that comprise nearly 15 percent of the population. The rights of Maori are of profound importance to New Zealand. Maori have seven dedicated electorate seats in New Zealand’s Parliament and comprise 17.3 percent of Members of Parliament in the current Parliament.
The Treaty of Waitangi, concluded between the Crown and Maori in 1840, has acquired great significance in New Zealand’s constitutional and legal arrangements. The New Zealand Government is also engaged in a process with Maori to settle historical grievances under the Treaty. Maori now control nearly 40 percent of New Zealand’s fishing quota.
For Information on the New Zealand Government’s Maori policy:
- Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development)[External link]
- The Office of Treaty Settlements [External link]
- Waitangi Tribunal [External link]
New Zealand Treaty body reports are available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website [External link]
Additional reports are available on the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (UNHCHR) Treaty Body Database [External link]
New Zealand: meeting international human rights standards
“New Zealand meets international human rights standards in many respects, and often surpasses them. Although New Zealand is not flawless…we have most of the elements essential for the effective protection, promotion and fulfilment of human rights: democracy, the rule of law and an independent judiciary free of corruption; effective structures of governance; specific process for human rights and other forms of accountability; recognition of the vulnerability of particular groups and individuals; and active, involved, diversely organised citizens…New Zealanders are generally free to say what we think, read what we like, worship where and when we choose, move freely around the country and feel confident in laws that protect us from discrimination and arbitrary abuse of power”.
New Zealand Human Rights Commission, Human Rights in New Zealand Today: Nga Tika Tangtata O Te Motu (2004)
