The Human Rights Act (HRA) and the Commission’s role The long title of the HRA provides that its purpose is “to provide better protection of human rights in New Zealand in general accordance with United Nations Covenants or Conventions on Human Rights.” This provides the platform upon which the Commission’s statutory role and functions rest. Most of the Commission’s functions are set out across Parts 1 and 3 of the HRA: • Part 1 sets out the role of the Commission, including its primary and general human rights functions, the role of Commissioners, the setting of priorities and portfolio responsibilities and the Commission’s independent role and relationship with the government. • Part 3 sets out the functions of the Commission’s information and dispute resolution service (including mediation) that applies to complaints of discrimination, including the role of the Director of Human Rights Proceedings and their Office. Together, these Parts of the HRA provide the Commission with a very broad set of functions and responsibilities. For example, we: • lead the work of the Commission in priority areas, including leading discussions and providing advice and leadership in those matters • respond to thousands of human rights enquiries and complaints every year • provide a free dispute resolution service to resolve complaints regarding sexual and racial harassment and other forms of discrimination • from August 2022, we provide education, support and dispute resolution services to respond to complaints regarding conversion practices 8 Pūrongo ā-tau Annual Report 2023 • the Office of Human Rights Proceedings provides free legal representation to people taking discrimination-related claims to the Human Rights Review Tribunal • produce sector-specific guidelines on human rights • appear as an intervener in court cases that have implications for human rights law in New Zealand, including appearances in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal • make submissions and provide duty-bearers (central government, local government, businesses) with human rights advice. This recently included advice and input into DPMC’s development of a Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Strategy and the Ministry of Justice work on reform of the hate speech laws • undertake high profile public campaigns to raise awareness of human rights and important human rights issues. The Give Nothing to Racism campaign is a recent example • undertake inquiries into systemic human rights issues. Many of the Commission’s inquiries have had a significant influence on law and policy, such as the Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry, To Be Who I Am inquiry on transgender rights and the Caring Counts inquiry into the working conditions of the aged care sector workforce • are New Zealand’s Central National Preventive Mechanism under the Crimes of Torture Act 1988, co-ordinating site visits to places of detention and secure units; the investigatory visits are carried out by four agencies, including the Ombudsman and the Independent Police Conduct Authority