PRISM: Human Rights issues relating to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Aotearoa New Zealand - A report with recommendations A report issued by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission Copyright © June 2020 New Zealand Human Rights Commission All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-478-35609-0 (web version and docx) 978-0-478-35610-6 (print) The New Zealand Human Rights Commission was set up in 1977 and works under the Human Rights Act 1993. Our purpose is to promote and protect the human rights of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. We work for a free, fair, safe and just New Zealand, where diversity is valued and human dignity and rights are respected. For more information, please visit our website: www.hrc.co.nz New Zealand Human Rights Commission (2020) Prism: Human rights issues relating to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Aotearoa New Zealand - A report with recommendations. Wellington: New Zealand. Acknowledgements This work was borne from kōrero which took place across five hui in 2018, assisted by Tuiloma Lina Samu, Moana Eruera, Rāwā Karetai, Rebekah Armstrong, and Annaliese Boston. The Commission would like to thank all those who attended and generously shared their experiences and recommendations; comments that were made in the hui are referenced throughout the report. This work has been greatly enhanced by community leaders who provided further contributions and comments on an earlier draft. They included Elizabeth Kerekere, Mani Mitchell, Kevin Haunui, Jack Byrne, Jono Selu, Stace Robertson, Ahi Wi-Hongi, Tommy Hamilton, and Katie Fitzpatrick. The collective effort has guided the conclusions and recommendations presented herein. The Commission is proud to have a SOGISC Human Rights Advisor, Taine Polkinghorne, who cofacilitated the consultations and wrote this report. Cover artwork by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho The overall design is a reference to the report title ‘Prism’. The poutama design at the top represents whakapapa as well as the pursuit of knowledge, and the middle pattern is called pakati. The pakati pattern represents strength and courage. I wanted to include this pattern at the top of the image to highlight the courage and strength necessary to not only highlight issues that SOGIESC communities face, but then using that information to push for change. The graphic in the middle is a nod to the cover design I did for the Counting Ourselves report. I wanted to make a clear visual link between the two reports as they both contribute to the overall understanding of our communities and highlight the change necessary for our wellbeing.