Global IssuesDisarmamentEnvironmentHuman RightsChildrenCountry SituationsGeneralIndigenous PeoplesOther TopicsRacial and religiousReformTreatiesUniversal Periodic ReviewWomenInternational SecurityInternational OrganisationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
Although we have tried to use plain English content on the site, you may come across specialist terms and acronyms. Find out what they mean in our glossary of terms.
If you come across a term that isn't included in the Glossary please send us an email.
Introduction
New Zealand has a tradition of promoting and protecting human rights both at home and overseas. In 1893, New Zealand became the first State in the world to give women the right to vote in national elections. The foundation of a domestic human rights system in New Zealand was established in 1898 with the introduction of the Old Age Pensions Act.
The Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840 by over 500 Māori chiefs and the representatives of the British Crown, is New Zealand’s founding document. The Treaty has major significance for the Government’s ongoing relationship with Māori and continues to exert a powerful influence on New Zealand’s human rights story.
New Zealand has developed a unique national identity as a diverse country in the South Pacific consisting of European, Māori, Pacific, Asian, African and American communities. This diversity is represented in New Zealand’s Parliament and shapes our views on developing an inclusive society.
The idea that everyone deserves an equal opportunity in life - “a fair go” – is an important part of New Zealand’s national identity and approach to human rights on the international stage. In 1945, New Zealand took a leading role in strengthening the human rights provisions in the United Nations Charter. At the deliberations in 1948 on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the New Zealand delegation advocated for the inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights. New Zealand argued that Governments had just as much responsibility to promote these rights as civil and political rights.
A key part of New Zealand’s commitment to human rights is ensuring that these universal rights are enjoyed and respected by New Zealand society. This report discusses the challenges New Zealand faces in meeting its human rights obligations, particularly in relation to the deepening international economic crisis which threatens to slow economic and social progress in New Zealand. During the consideration of this report, the Council is advised to refer to New Zealand’s Core Document.[1]
[1] HRI/CORENZL/2006.
