Our vision Our vision for Aotearoa New Zealand is “A Dignified Life for All” The Human Rights Commission is New Zealand’s national human rights institution (NHRI). We are an independent Crown entity responsible for promoting and encouraging the protection of human rights and harmonious relations between all people in New Zealand. The Commission is accredited with ‘A’ status by the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. This status is the highest recognition of independence that an NHRI can achieve and provides the Commission with speaking rights at relevant UN Human Rights Council and committee sessions. This means we operate in accordance with the principles relating to the Status of National Institutions, commonly known as the Paris Principles. These principles set out the minimum international standards that must be met for NHRIs to be considered credible and independent. The Office of Human Rights Proceedings is part of the Commission. The Director of Human Rights Proceedings independently provides legal representation under the Human Rights Act 1993 and brings proceedings under the Privacy Act 1993. Our functions The Commission’s primary functions are set out in section 5(1) of the Human Rights Act 1993, and section 5(2) of the Human Rights Act 1993 lists the detailed functions of the Commission. In addition to the Act, important human rights, and associated principles, are enshrined in New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements or legislation, including the: • Treaty of Waitangi 1840 • New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 • Crimes of Torture Act 1989. Commissioners, the Chief Executive and the Director of Human Rights Proceedings all have functions set out in the Human Rights Act and the Crown Entities Act. As a member of the UN, New Zealand supports the human rights provisions of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. New Zealand is obliged under international law to meet its human rights obligations to everyone in New Zealand, as set out in the international human rights treaties New Zealand has ratified. The Commission also facilitates the resolution of disputes, involving unlawful discrimination in the most efficient, informal, and cost-effective manner possible. The Commission has no adjudicative or judicial function. Those functions are carried out by the Human Rights Review Tribunal and the courts. Annual Report 2019 9