48th session of the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ministry Statements & Speeches:

Delivered by Lucy Duncan, Permanent Representative 28, September 2021

Tēnā koe Madam President,

Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes this interactive dialogue and thanks the Expert Mechanism for its ongoing work.

Earlier this year the New Zealand Government approved a two-step process to develop a national plan to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - in partnership with Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.

The first step is to reach out to a diverse range of Māori individuals and groups to hear their aspirations and ideas for the content of the Declaration plan, with the second step to be a wider and inclusive process of public consultation.

Developing a plan will take careful consideration, but New Zealand is committed to working in partnership with Māori to improve their wellbeing and to address inequities that have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We thank the Expert Mechanism for its excellent report on efforts to implement UNDRIP and the recognition that historical treaties are a feature of indigenous peoples’ self-determination. New Zealand’s support for indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination is understood with reference to the duties and principles inherent in our founding constitutional document - the Treaty of Waitangi. The Treaty protects Māori tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) over Māori land, homes, and treasures.

We welcome today’s discussions and look forward to collectively working with you all to advance the promotion and protection of indigenous peoples’ rights.

No reira tēnā tātou katoa. 

Thank you.

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