New Zealand’s 6th periodic review under the Convention Against Torture Submission of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission The New Zealand Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity that derives its statutory mandate from the Human Rights Act 1993. The long title to the Human Rights Act states it is intended to provide better protection of human rights in New Zealand in general accordance with United Nations human rights Covenants and Conventions. Contact Person: Michael J V White Senior Legal and Policy Analyst michaelw@hrc.co.nz March 2015 1