From the Tatau-Uruora, Chief Executive
I am humbled in presenting the Annual Report
of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights
Commission for 2023. This report is a testament
to our enduring commitment to advancing
human rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, fostering
inclusivity, and driving meaningful change in
Aotearoa.
As I assumed the role of Tatau-Uruora
Kāwanatanga Leader Chief Executive earlier
this year, I was reminded of the Commission’s
extraordinarily rich history and culture of
respecting human rights. Yet, there remains
much work to be done. The recognition and
protection of human rights, especially in
legislation and our constitution, need greater
rigour. We cannot afford to be complacent, for
without diligence, human rights can be rolled
back.
In practice, civil rights such as freedom from
arbitrary arrest and detention are wellunderstood, but workers’, social, and cultural
rights, like the rights to housing and healthcare,
require deeper acknowledgment. We must
employ a rights-based lens to address these
challenges and ensure everyone can access
these fundamental rights.
At Te Kāhui Tika Tangata we are taking
significant strides toward a more inclusive and
equitable future. Our new shared leadership
model, which includes the role of Tatau-Urutahi
Tino Rangatiratanga Leader, underscores
our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This
innovative approach promotes equality for
Indigenous peoples and aligns with Aotearoa's
obligations under relevant international treaties
and legislation.
The journey towards becoming a Tiriti-based
organisation, embedding all articles of Te Tiriti
in our daily operations, is vital. It demonstrates
our commitment to Te Tiriti, recognising tino
rangatiratanga alongside kāwanatanga. Both
Meg de Ronde (Tatau-Uruora Kāwanatanga
Leader | Chief Executive)
Tatau-Urutahi and Tatau-Uruora leaders will
shoulder the responsibility for shaping the
organisation's strategy, culture, and outcomes.
Throughout 2023 we also continued to advocate
for human rights through legal interventions
and submissions. Our involvement in significant
court cases, such as Gordon v Attorney-General,
Attorney-General v Fleming, Smith v Fonterra, and
others, has allowed us to shape critical legal
discussions and decisions on human rights.
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