Human Rights in New Zealand

Human rights in New Zealand

Introduction

Most New Zealanders are aware that the country has a decent reputation in terms of human rights issues. For example there are few people who would be unaware that New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote.

However, not many people know the true extent of New Zealand's history in the human rights area. If you are interested in finding out more about this topic, have a look at our New Zealand human rights timeline and / or investigate the human rights history listed below.

Many New Zealanders are also aware of the existence of the Human Rights Commission. Not only do people tend to know that the country has a National Human Rights Institution, but a recent UMR research survey revealed that approximately 84% of New Zealanders felt that such an organisation was necessary.

While this may be the case, few people are aware of the details regarding exactly how human rights are protected in New Zealand.

The recently amended Human Rights Act is the main piece of domestic human rights legislation. This Act is intended to provide better protection of human rights in New Zealand in general accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Find out more about this legislation, and other international and domestic human rights legislation relevant to New Zealand.

New Zealand has also been very active in the development of human rights organisations in the Asia Pacific region. For more information on this area, have a look at the website's section dealing with information relevant to the Asia Pacific region.

Timeline of human rights in New Zealand

Human rights instruments relevant to New Zealand:

• Treaty of Waitangi

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

o History of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

o Further information on the history of the UDHR

o NZ involvement in the drafting of the UDHR

o The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A Magna Carta for all humanity (UNHCHR website)

• United Nations covenants and conventions relevant to New Zealand: these Covenants and conventions are often collectively referred to as the human rights �international instruments’.

• The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990

• The