Introduction The Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) set out to identify and understand the issues relevant to human rights realisation for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. This Talanoa paper contains information obtained from a series of community fono1 hosted by the Commission,2 engagements with government and private organisations, local research and reports from intergovernmental organisations, like the UN and its specialised agencies. The purpose of this Talanoa paper is to provide a foundation piece about human rights of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. It identifies how human rights fits within the unique context of Pacific peoples, and how they provide a baseline understanding of the issues that require greater attention and collaboration. It aims to raise awareness of these issues and make recommendations as to how they can be addressed. The focus of this paper is on the human rights issues of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. It generally does not cover human rights issues within Pacific Island countries, apart from some issues in the Realm countries (Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) and climate change related issues. The paper touches on Pacific people have the same human rights as anyone. Photo courtesy of Le Va. domestic human rights issues in the Realm countries as their citizens are also citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand. It also discusses issues relating to climate change because they were raised during the fono. It is important that the Pacific diaspora still maintain cultural ties to their respective Pacific Island nations, which will be adversely affected by climate change. The Commission hopes that this paper can be used as a basis for greater discussion and collaboration, and an advocacy tool for discussion around human rights of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whakatauki In this Talanoa paper, the Commission recognises the unique place Pacific peoples have as nonindigenous migrants and their descendants with enduring indigenous cultures, that flourish in Aotearoa New Zealand. This Talanoa paper acknowledges Tangata Whenua, and their kaitakitanga guardianship of Aotearoa as a place where other cultures are welcomed and nurtured. In this Talanoa paper, we also acknowledge the many cultures of Te Moana-nui a-Kiwa, which connects the island nations of the Pacific region, including Aotearoa New Zealand. In acknowledgement of the kaitakitanga of Tangata Whenua and the cultures of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, we have chosen the following whakatauki from Tokelau. Ko te tama a te manu a fafaga i na ika, ka ko te tama a te tagata e fafaga i na kupu. As the birds nourish their young with fish, people nourish their young with language 1 2 4 Fono is Samoan for gathering or meeting. The participation at the five fono was as follows: 1) South Auckland with 25 Pacific participants, 2) Auckland with 12 Pacific, two Māori & two Pākehā participants, 3) Christchurch with 12 Pacific participants, 4) Wellington CBD with five Pacific participants, 5) Wellington with 15 Pacific participants. Talanoa: Human rights issues for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand