The Committee last examined and made recommendations on New Zealand’s compliance
with the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2007. Since then, the
Human Rights Commission has monitored progress against the Committee’s
recommendations annually. The following table records progress on the recommendations
to the end of 2011.
The Government’s responses to recommendations by the Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination
Recommendation
Status
Government
response
Follow-up on HRC’s
Action Plan for Human
Rights in New Zealand
The HRC completed a second review of human Under action
rights in 2010, with priority actions.
Entrench the New
Present BORA arrangements considered
Under action
Zealand Bill of Rights Act satisfactory, however, the constitutional status
(BORA)
of BORA may be considered during the
constitutional review.
Discuss constitutional
status of the Treaty of
Waitangi
The role of the Treaty of Waitangi in New
Zealand’s constitutional arrangements will be
considered during the Constitutional review.
Under action
Incorporate Treaty into Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill Actioned
domestic legislation
2006 was rejected by Parliament.
where relevant
Clarify the distinction
between special
measures and
indigenous rights in
reports to CERD
The Government agreed to this
recommendation and will amend subsequent
reports to CERD.
Actioned
Provide guidance on
special measures to
achieve equality
The State Services Commission issued
guidelines on special measures.
Actioned
Give a cut-off date for The cut-off date was widely publicised and
Actioned
lodging historical Treaty resulted in a dramatic increase in the lodging of
claims
claims.
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