Inclusion, equality and belonging
The Commission will make a meaningful contribution, taking a human rights and Tiriti-based
approach, to create and uphold a shared vision for a fully inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand
where the human rights of all people are respected. Inclusion in Aotearoa must be founded on
honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Rationale
All people in Aotearoa New Zealand should enjoy a sense of belonging and be welcomed,
respected, and valued for who they are, and they should have equal opportunity to participate
in society. Communities, workplaces, and institutions should be free from discrimination and
bias, including structural discrimination.
We want to live in an inclusive society founded on te Tiriti where we genuinely value diversity,
where we consider the human rights of others before we implement changes and where
we treat each other with kindness, compassion, and respect. The exclusion of, and racism
towards, tangata whenua is a feature of Aotearoa New Zealand that must be addressed with an
emphasis on truth, justice, and reconciliation in order to allow for healing and a new beginning
for Aotearoa. We favour multiculturalism grounded on te Tiriti.
Interventions
The Human Rights Commission will take a human rights and Tiriti based approach to inclusion,
belonging and equality:
Tino
rangatiratanga
Kāwanatanga
•
Communicate and promote the
relationship between te Tiriti o Waitangi
and human rights
•
Articulate, communicate and promote
social inclusion at national, regional and
local levels
•
Promote the exercise of tino
rangatiratanga
•
•
Measure and report on tangata
whenua perceptions of inclusivity and
belonging
Develop or support the development
of relationships and strategies to build
inclusion or reduce ‘othering’.
•
•
Inquire into, report on, and highlight
the performance of duty-bearers in
meeting their Tiriti o Waitangi and
human rights responsibilities to tangata
whenua, including upholding and
embedding mana motuhake and tino
rangatiratanga
Measure and report on community
and individual perceptions of inclusivity
and belonging
•
Inquire into, report on, and highlight the
performance of duty-bearers in meeting
their Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights
responsibilities to individuals and
communities
•
Provide effective strategic advocacy on
systemic issues – proactively or when
invited – to support tangata whenua to
exercise tino rangatiratanga and mana
motuhake
•
Provide effective strategic advocacy on
systemic issues – proactively or when
invited – to support individuals and
communities to understand the human
rights aspects of te Tiriti o Waitangi and
to exercise their human rights
•
Provide an effective disputes resolution
service, and legal representation under
the Human Rights Act 1993
•
Provide an effective disputes resolution
service, and legal representation under
the Human Rights Act 1993
24 | Strategic Plan 2021-2025