4 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION | STATEMENT OF INTENTWho we are and what we doKo wai mä<strong>to</strong>u ä he aha tä mä<strong>to</strong>u mahiThe <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> (the <strong>Commission</strong>) works <strong>to</strong>achieve a society in which people in New Zealand enjoytheir human rights, duty-bearers uphold their human rightsresponsibilities, and people live <strong>to</strong>gether harmoniously byshowing a common respect for each other’s human dignity.The <strong>Commission</strong>, which includes the Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>Human</strong><strong>Rights</strong> Proceedings, is an independent Crown entity forthe purposes <strong>of</strong> the Crown Entities Act, accountable <strong>to</strong> theMinister <strong>of</strong> Justice (the Minister). Our functions and relatedresponsibilities are set out under the <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Act (ourAct).The <strong>Commission</strong> is an “A status” accredited nationalhuman rights institution (NHRI). This allows us formalparticipation at the United Nations (UN) <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong>Council, including its Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Italso allows us <strong>to</strong> provide information on New Zealand’shuman rights performance through UN special proceduresand <strong>to</strong> UN treaty bodies, <strong>to</strong> assist them in making informedrecommendations. The accreditation, reviewed everyfive years, requires each NHRI <strong>to</strong> comply fully with thestandards set out in the UN Principles Relating <strong>to</strong> the Status<strong>of</strong> National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection <strong>of</strong><strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> − commonly known as the “Paris Principles”.We engage internationally as a member <strong>of</strong> the Asia PacificForum <strong>of</strong> NHRIs (APF) and <strong>of</strong> the International CoordinatingCommittee <strong>of</strong> National Institutions for the Promotion andProtection <strong>of</strong> <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> (ICC). These membershipsenable us <strong>to</strong> build mutual capability through the sharing<strong>of</strong> good practice and participation in pr<strong>of</strong>essionaldevelopment programmes.The foundations for our work are the international humanrights instruments, the Treaty <strong>of</strong> Waitangi, the ParisPrinciples, the <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Act and the New Zealand Bill<strong>of</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Act.Our responsibilitiesOur primary functions, set out under our Act, are <strong>to</strong>:1 advocate and promote respect for, and anunderstanding and appreciation <strong>of</strong>, human rights inNew Zealand society2 encourage the maintenance and development <strong>of</strong>harmonious relations between individuals and amongthe diverse groups in New Zealand society.Related functions and responsibilities under our Act are <strong>to</strong>:1 conduct human rights programmes and activities2 make public statements on human rights and racerelations issues3 promote understanding <strong>of</strong> the human rights dimensions<strong>of</strong> the Treaty <strong>of</strong> Waitangi4 publish guidelines and voluntary codes <strong>of</strong> practice5 receive and invite public representations on humanrights6 consult and cooperate with other organisations7 inquire in<strong>to</strong> infringements <strong>of</strong> human rights8 bring proceedings and intervene in court proceedings9 report <strong>to</strong> the Prime Minister on human rightscompliance, international standards and legislation10 develop a national plan <strong>of</strong> action for human rights.We are governed by a Board made up <strong>of</strong> all the<strong>Commission</strong>ers, chaired by the Chief <strong>Commission</strong>er. TheBoard determines the strategic direction and generalnature <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong>’s activities. In addition <strong>to</strong> theirgovernance role, <strong>Commission</strong>ers act as strategic leaders inareas designated by our Act, or by allocation <strong>of</strong> spheres <strong>of</strong>responsibility by the Chief <strong>Commission</strong>er (in consultationwith the Minister). <strong>Commission</strong>ers engage in activities <strong>of</strong>the <strong>Commission</strong> (excepting those set out in section 76 <strong>of</strong>our Act 1 ) as determined by the Chief <strong>Commission</strong>er (inconsultation with the Minister).The functions <strong>of</strong> the Direc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Proceedingsinclude providing legal representation <strong>to</strong> applicantswhose complaints <strong>of</strong> unlawful discrimination havenot been resolved through the <strong>Commission</strong>’s disputeresolution process. The Direc<strong>to</strong>r’s functions also includebringing proceedings under the Privacy Act in respect<strong>to</strong> interferences with privacy referred by the Privacy1 Section 76(1) <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Act 1993 describes primary functions <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong> under Part 3 <strong>of</strong> the Act as: <strong>to</strong> provide information <strong>to</strong> members <strong>of</strong> the public who havequestions about discrimination; and <strong>to</strong> facilitate the resolution <strong>of</strong> disputes relating <strong>to</strong> discrimination by Government, related persons and bodies, or persons or bodies actingwith legal authority, as well as unlawful discrimination.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION | STATEMENT OF INTENT5<strong>Commission</strong>er. Claims <strong>of</strong> unlawful discrimination orinterference with privacy are heard in the <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong>Review Tribunal.We apply the human rights approach (developedinternationally and adapted for New Zealand by the<strong>Commission</strong>) in all aspects <strong>of</strong> our work, which requires:1 linking <strong>of</strong> decision-making at every level <strong>to</strong> humanrights standards set out in the relevant human rightscovenants and conventions2 identification <strong>of</strong> all relevant human rights involvedand a balancing <strong>of</strong> rights, where necessary prioritisingthe rights <strong>of</strong> the most vulnerable people, <strong>to</strong> maximiserespect for all rights and rights-holders3 an emphasis on the participation <strong>of</strong> individuals andgroups in decision-making affecting them4 non-discrimination among individuals and groupsthrough the equal enjoyment <strong>of</strong> rights and obligationsby all5 empowerment <strong>of</strong> individuals and groups by their use<strong>of</strong> rights <strong>to</strong> leverage for action and <strong>to</strong> legitimise theirvoice in decision-making6 accountability for actions and decisions, enablingindividuals and groups <strong>to</strong> complain about decisionsadversely affecting them.
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