| Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Māori) | |
| Independent Crown entity overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1977; 49 years ago (1977) |
| Headquarters | Level 8, 44–52 The Terrace,Wellington 6011 |
| Independent Crown entity executives |
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| Key document | |
| Website | www |
TheHuman Rights Commission (Māori:Te Kāhui Tika Tangata) is thenational human rights institution (NHRI) for New Zealand, operating independently from direction by the Cabinet. Founded in 1977, the commission addresses issues of discrimination, equality, and human rights through education, advocacy, and resolving complaints. It provides guidance onanti-discrimination law.
The Human Rights Commission is aCrown entity. It was formed in 1977, and currently functions under the mandate of theHuman Rights Act 1993. The Office of the Race Relations Conciliator was consolidated with the Human Rights Commission by an amendment to the Human Rights Act in 2001. The commission's primary functions are to "advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand society, and to encourage the maintenance and development of harmonious relations between individuals and among the diverse groups in New Zealand society".[1]
Chief Commissioner – DrStephen Rainbow
Race Relations Commissioner – DrMelissa Derby
EEO (Equal Employment Opportunities) Commissioner – DrGail Pacheco[2]
Disability Rights Commissioner – Prudence Walker
Jeremy Pope served as a Commissioner until his death in August 2012.
The 1993 Act transformed the previousRace Relations Conciliator into aRace Relations Commissioner. Holders of the position have been:[7][8]
The commission is one of some 70 NHRIs accredited by theInternational Co-ordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC), a body sponsored by theOffice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The commission's "A status" accreditation allows it special access to theUnited Nations human rights system, including speaking rights at theHuman Rights Council and other committees. The commission has presented parallel reports ("shadow reports") to several UN treaty committees examining New Zealand's compliance withinternational human rights instruments. From 2010 to 2012 the Commission chaired the ICC, and theAsia Pacific Forum of NHRIs, one of four regional sub-groups of NHRIs.
In 2010 the Commission conducted a publicly available review of human rights in New Zealand in order to both identify the areas in which New Zealand does well, and where it could do better to combat persistent social problems. The 'report card' was an update of the Commission's first report in 2004, and led its work for the next five years.[19] The report noted steady improvements in New Zealand's human rights record since 2004, but also "the fragility of some of the gains and areas where there has been deterioration."[20] In the report, the Commission identified thirty priority areas for action on human rights in New Zealand under a number of sections: general; civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and rights of specific groups.[20]
In February 2018,Justice MinisterAndrew Little commissioned an ministerial inquiry into the commission by retired judgeCoral Shaw, following media reports of a sexual harassment scandal there.[21] Sunday Star-Times journalist Harrison Christian had earlier reported a young American woman cut short her internship at the commission after she was groped by the organisation's chief financial officer at a work party.[22] Shaw's review found the commission had failed in its handling of sexual harassment claims.[23]
In August 2021, the Human Rights Commission launched an inquiry into the housing crisis, stating that successive governments had failed to meet their obligations according to international law, specifically to the right to a decent home.[24] The initial phase of the inquiry resulted in the release of a report focused on strengthening accountability and participation in the housing system, with further work done to develop a tool called "Measuring Progress", designed to evaluate the state of housing against key indicators and international human rights obligations.[25] The second phase of the inquiry has been on emergency housing and the conditions and protections of renters as key topic areas.[25] The inquiry is expected to conclude mid-2023.[25]
On 16 June 2023,Meng Foon resigned from his position as Race Relations Commissioner after failing to declare several conflicts of interest as required under the Crown Entities Act. Foon served as the director of an emergency housing company that had received income from government payments including over NZ$2 million in emergency accommodation funding. The Human Rights Commission had conducted an internal investigation into Foon's interests including emergency accommodation funding.[18][26] Foon disputed that he had failed to declare his conflict of interest regarding the emergency accommodation funding and claimed that he had declared these interests prior to assuming his role as Race Relations Commissioner.[26] Earlier in April 2023, Foon had attracted controversy for donating to both members of theLabour andNational parties.[27]
In 2023,Claire Charters joined the Commission; her post was in the area of Indigenous Peoples' rights.[28]
On 16 August 2024,Justice MinisterPaul Goldsmith appointed several new leaders to the Human Rights Commission including formerWellington City Councillor and management professionalStephen Rainbow as chief human rights commissioner,Auckland University of Technology economics professorGail Pacheco as equal employment opportunities commissioner, andUniversity of Waikato education senior lecturer andNew Zealand Free Speech Union memberMelissa Derby as race relations commissioner.[6] Left-wing bloggerMartyn "Bomber" Bradbury andThe Spinoff editorMadeleine Chapman criticised the appointment of Rainbow and Derby for their allegedtransphobic views and Rainbow's pro-Israel views.[29][30]
The first Conciliator, Sir Guy Powles, was appointed in December 1971 and held the post for 18 months. He was succeeded by Harry Dansey. Subsequent Conciliators have been Hiwi Tauroa, Walter Hirsh, Chris Laidlaw, John Clarke, Rajen Prasad, Gregory Fortuin and Joris de Bres. The current Race Relations Commissioner is Susan Devoy.
Government confidence in the office became such that the ombudsman's responsibilities were extended to cover hospital boards and education authorities (1968) and territorial and other local government authorities (1975). From 1971 to 1973 Powles was also race relations conciliator. He undertook special inquiries into the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Auckland maximum security prison at Paremoremo. Designated chief ombudsman in 1975, he retired on 5 April 1977. In September 1976 the International Ombudsman Conference, meeting at Edmonton, Canada, carried a unanimous vote of appreciation and respect for Sir Guy Powles. From May to October 1978 he was resident consultant at the International Ombudsman Institute in Edmonton.
Thought to be Mr Edward Te Rangihiwinui Tauroa of Wesley College, Paerata.
he took up the post as New Zealand Race Relations Conciliator, in succession to Rajen Prasad , on May 1st,
Statement by Gregory Fortuin, Race Relations Conciliator
With a mixed racial African and Afrikaner background, Gregory Fortuin, shown here in 2001, grew up near Cape Town. Classified as a 'coloured', he experienced discrimination under the apartheid regime. He took his family to live in Australia in 1986, and arrived in New Zealand in 1991. He was New Zealand's race relations conciliator from 2001 to 2002.
Joris de Bres has been New Zealand's Race Relations Commissioner since 2002. He was previously General Manager, External Relations in the Department of Conservation and head of industrial relations for the New Zealand Public Service Association.
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