Easing financial pressures: A couple contacted us seeking advice as they were facing severe hardship due to wage deductions to pay back funeral costs and government agency debt. Our involvement resulted in the finance company and government agency negotiating a more affordable debt repayment plan with the family. International safe passage: Another country’s human rights commission contacted us about a prisoner in Aotearoa New Zealand who qualified for early release on condition they return to their home country. The person was having challenges securing safe passage home, which meant they were having to stay longer in prison. The Commission contacted Corrections and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite action on the prisoner’s release and facilitate their safe passage back to their home country. Through a coordinated effort, the individual is now back home with their family. Developing disability resources: A person complained they were refused access to transport because of their disability assist dog. They asked if the Commission had information they could show people who were unaware of the rights of people with assistance dogs. We referred their complaint to the Dispute Resolution team, and then worked with the organisations that certify assistance dogs to create a resource explaining the access rights of disability assist dogs which is now available on our website. to discuss the complaint and hear their perspective. The views of both parties were shared, which resulted in an apology and a commitment to stop the harassment. The complainant told us she was pleased to have the opportunity to voice her concerns and resolve the matter in a peaceful way. Race-related publications: Members of the community complained that "It's alright to be white" pamphlets left in their letterboxes voiced white supremacist ideology. The flyer did not have an identifiable contact, so the complaint could not be formally notified by the Commission. However, we were able to provide information about different ways the community could challenge the narrative and address the impact of the material. Mega Matters Mega Matters are high-profile events that prompt a considerable number of enquiries and complaints to the Commission. The Commission responded to 19 Mega Matters during the period, involving 825 enquiries or complaints. The top two Mega Matters in 2022-23 were: • 354 enquiries and complaints about Minister Marama Davidson’s comments: “I am a violence prevention minister and I know who causes violence in the world, it is white, cis men.” • 284 enquiries and complaints about an excerpt of a Tusiata Avia poem published by news website Stuff.co.nz. Sexual orientation harassment between neighbours: A woman complained her neighbour was harassing her because of her assumed sexual orientation. We contacted the neighbour “E mihi kau ana ki a koe e te tuakana i tāu mahi i te rā nei te whakatau i ō mātou āwangawanga. Kei te harikoa au i te mahi, ko te tumanako au kei te ora haumaru ki a koe me tō whānau hoki “ 32 Pūrongo ā-tau Annual Report 2023 "Thank you brother/sister for your support today resolving our concerns. I am happy at work.