Chief Executive’s Message There will not be an individual or organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand unaffected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. What was always destined to be a demanding work plan for the Commission became even more so as we worked to understand the impacts of the virus on vulnerable communities and to advocate for their rights and needs. Commission staff adapted swiftly to working remotely and continued to deliver a full work programme with the added demand of responding to the impact of COVID-19 on the lives and livelihoods of New Zealanders. This impact is partly evidenced by the virus-related enquiries and complaints to the Commission starting in January 2020 and peaking in May. Prior to the Government’s announcement of COVID-19 alert levels, the Commission had conducted a one-day work from home simulation which tested all our systems should staff be unable to work from our offices. This helped us identify where improvements were needed so we were better prepared for Alert Level 4 when it was announced. I am grateful to the dedication and professionalism of the Commission’s staff as they continued their work with little or no pause. This included the launch of an anti-racism campaign specifically responding to the rise in racist abuse and behaviours directed at our Asian communities due to COVID-19. Our Racism is No Joke campaign urged people in New Zealand not to like or share anti-Asian jokes and memes on social media. Meanwhile work also continued at pace on Phase 2 of the Commission’s Give Nothing to Racism campaign, the Voice of Racism. Both campaigns were launched in July 2020. During this period the Commission also began to bring to life its commitment to being an organisation based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Tricia Keelan joined the Commission as Pou Ārahi in February 2020 to lead our Te Hā o Te Tiriti kaupapa and Ahi Kaa, which is the Commission’s Te Tiriti and indigenous rights rōpū. As Tricia says: “I am inspired by a vision of Aotearoa where Te Tiriti o Waitangi is fully honoured. This mahi is about us, as an independent Crown agency, being honest and authentic – stepping forward to give life to Te Tiriti in today’s context. We can do this by respecting tino rangatatiratanga alongside kāwanatanga in genuine partnership with iwi, hapū and whānau.” To manage its resources in the face of strong demand for our advice and advocacy the Commission also introduced programme management as a way to scope work and prioritise resources across our five programmes: Reducing Poverty; Inclusion, Equality, and Belonging; Reducing Violence and Abuse; Popularising Human Rights; and Organisational Excellence. You may also see that this year’s Annual Report takes a different approach to previous years. Case studies are provided to reflect key components of our work programme and a flavour of our work at the Commission. In the next financial year we will continue to work to embed programme management and our Te Tiriti-based work. We will continue to adapt to working in a world where how we work has changed forever due to COVID-19 – and where there will be continued need for our mahi to advocate for human rights and Te Tiriti. Rebecca Elvy Chief Executive | Manahautū 3