89 At the Forty-Third Pacific Islands Forum, New Zealand endorsed the Gender Equality Declaration which outlined a commitment to “Adopt measures, including temporary special measures (such as legislation to establish reserved seats for women and political party reforms), to accelerate women’s full and equal participation in governance reform at all levels and women’s leadership in all decision making.”43 90 Statistics released by the New Zealand Stock Exchange (“NZX”) show that the number of female directors has increased by only 5 % since 2013 – from 12.4 % to 17% in 2015. While NZX Main Board listed companies are required to provide a breakdown of the gender composition of their Directors and Officers, there is no mandatory requirement to establish and disclose gender/diversity policies. Businesses can play a key role in advancing human rights within their organisations and the wider community through accelerating gender equality in their companies by setting targets or adopting special measures. 91 The NZX is currently undertaking a review of its code of practice for listed companies. The Commission will be making a submission to this review and encouraging the establishment and disclosure of gender/diversity policies to be a mandatory requirement. Gender pay gap 92 The gender pay gap has increased slightly over the reporting period. In 2015 women’s median hourly earnings were $21.23 compared with $24.07 for men, a pay gap of 11.8 % - compared to 9.6 % in 2012. The Commission’s Tracking Equality at Work tool found that when demographic characteristics are combined, the degree of inequality in employment for women is amplified.44 For example, Pacific and Māori women are paid a lower rate than European women. Disabled women have lower incomes than disabled men. Pacifica women are particularly over-represented in minimum wage jobs. 45 93 The State Services Commission Human Resources Capability Survey of the public sector showed that the pay gap between men and women in key leadership roles has not improved since 2010. Moreover, the pay gap for women at lower levels of the public service is 14%, the equivalent of $11,000.46 94 In 2016 all but one Government department had gender pay gaps. Nine had pay gaps of 20% or more. The highest was 39% and the average 14%.47 43 rd Pacific Islands Forum, “43 Pacific Islands Forum Communique”, (1 September 2012), http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1209/S00002/43rd-pacific-islands-forum-communique.htm 44 NZ Human Rights Commission, “Tracking Equality at Work” (webtool), http://tracking-equality.hrc.co.nz/#/ 45 NZ Human Rights Commission, “Tracking Equality at Work - pay” (webtool http://tracking-equality.hrc.co.nz/#/issue/pay 46 State Services Commission, “Human Resource Capability in the New Zealand State Sector” (December 2015) http://www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/hrc-survey-2015_0.pdf 47 State Services Commission, Gender Pay Gap by Department 2008 - 2015 Page 28 of 93 Human Rights Commission submission to the Human Rights Committee in relation to New Zealand’s 6th periodic review under the ICCPR