New Zealand Human Rights Commission
Encyclopedia
The Human Rights Commission (Te Kāhui Tika Tangata in Maori
) is the national human rights institution (NHRI) in New Zealand
. It is funded through the Ministry of Justice
, but operates independently of the New Zealand Government. It applies and enforces the Human Rights Act 1993
, a New Zealand statute outlawing particular kinds of discrimination
.
The Commission was formed in 1977, and currently functions under the Human Rights Act 1993
. The Office of the Race Relations Conciliator was made part of the Commission in 2001. The Commission works to educate New Zealanders, publish information, investigate human rights abuses, and resolve disputes over rights and discrimination related issues. The Commission's current chair is Rosslyn Noonan. The other commissioners are Joris de Bres (Race Relations Commissioner), Judy McGregor (EEO Commissioner), Karen Johansen, Jeremy Pope, and Richard Tankersley.
(ICC), a body sponsored by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR). The Commission's "A status" accreditation allows it special access to the United Nations
human rights system, including speaking rights at the Human Rights Council and other committees. The Commission has presented parallel reports ("shadow reports") to several UN treaty committees examining New Zealand's compliance with international human rights instruments
. It has since February 2010 chaired the ICC, and also chairs the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs
, one of four regional sub-groups of NHRIs.
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
) is the national human rights institution (NHRI) in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is funded through the Ministry of Justice
Minister of Justice (New Zealand)
The Minister of Justice is a minister in the government of New Zealand. The minister has responsibility for the formulation of justice policy and for the administration of law courts....
, but operates independently of the New Zealand Government. It applies and enforces the Human Rights Act 1993
New Zealand Human Rights Act
The Human Rights Act 1993 is an Act of the Parliament of New Zealand which deals with discrimination. It was a consolidation and amendment of the Race Relations Act 1971 and the Human Rights Commission Act 1977. It passed into law 1 February 1994...
, a New Zealand statute outlawing particular kinds of discrimination
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
.
The Commission was formed in 1977, and currently functions under the Human Rights Act 1993
New Zealand Human Rights Act
The Human Rights Act 1993 is an Act of the Parliament of New Zealand which deals with discrimination. It was a consolidation and amendment of the Race Relations Act 1971 and the Human Rights Commission Act 1977. It passed into law 1 February 1994...
. The Office of the Race Relations Conciliator was made part of the Commission in 2001. The Commission works to educate New Zealanders, publish information, investigate human rights abuses, and resolve disputes over rights and discrimination related issues. The Commission's current chair is Rosslyn Noonan. The other commissioners are Joris de Bres (Race Relations Commissioner), Judy McGregor (EEO Commissioner), Karen Johansen, Jeremy Pope, and Richard Tankersley.
Race Relations
The 1993 act transformed the previous Race Relations Conciliator into a Race Relations Commissioner but the two terms are used interchangeably. Holders of the position have been:- Joris de Bres 2002—
- Gregory FortuinGregory FortuinGregory Fortuin was born in South Africa and has had business and political experience there and in Australia and New Zealand.In 1998 he was appointed by Nelson Mandela as Honorary Consul to New Zealand....
2001—2002 - Rajen PrasadRajen PrasadDr Rajen Prasad, QSO, is a politician from New Zealand. He was elected to represent the Labour Party on the party list at the 2008 general election...
1996—2001 - John ClarkeJohn Clarke-Canada:* John Clarke , Canadian political activist and founder of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty* John Clarke C.M., Canadian mountaineer, explorer and wilderness educator* John Clarke -Canada:* John Clarke (activist), Canadian political activist and founder of the Ontario Coalition...
—1996 - Chris LaidlawChris LaidlawChristopher Robert Laidlaw , Rhodes Scholar, All Black, diplomat, MP, talk radio host, author, is a 20th century New Zealand figure.-Academic and Rugby Union:...
1989— - Walter Hirsh
- Hiwi Tauroa
- Harry DanseyHarry DanseyHarry Delamere Barter Dansey MBE was a prominent New Zealand Māori journalist, cartoonist, writer, broadcaster, local-body politician, and race relations conciliator.-Early life:...
1975—1979 - Sir Guy Powles December 1971—1973
International status
The Commission is one of some 70 NHRIs accredited by the International Co-ordinating Committee of NHRIsInternational Co-ordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions
The International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, sometimes shortened to the International Coordinating Committee , is a global network of national human rights institutions - administrative bodies set up to promote, protect and monitor human rights in a given country...
(ICC), a body sponsored by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is a United Nations agency that works to promote and protect the human rights that are guaranteed under international law and stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948...
(OHCHR). The Commission's "A status" accreditation allows it special access to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
human rights system, including speaking rights at the Human Rights Council and other committees. The Commission has presented parallel reports ("shadow reports") to several UN treaty committees examining New Zealand's compliance with international human rights instruments
International human rights instruments
International human rights instruments are treaties and other international documents relevant to international human rights law and the protection of human rights in general...
. It has since February 2010 chaired the ICC, and also chairs the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs
Asia Pacific Forum
The Asia Pacific Forum is one of four regional networks of national human rights institutions within the International Co-ordinating Committee of NHRIs...
, one of four regional sub-groups of NHRIs.