• Our RSE Report had a significant impact
Publishing our Recognised Seasonal Employers Scheme RSE report in December 2022 led to
multiple changes. MBIE progressed a review of the RSE scheme, and we have continued our
consultations with key stakeholders. Significantly, the report has also influenced one of the
largest banks (BNZ) to set up its own RSE review team. BNZ has subsequently requested the
Commission's advice on how they can uphold their responsibilities as ethical providers.
• Guide to the rights to healthcare and health protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
We published a new guide to help equip health professionals with a better understanding
of the human rights to healthcare and health protection in February 2023. Human rights
provide a practical, non-partisan framework to help health professionals make tough decisions
about resource allocation within the health system. The guide is aimed at health policy
professionals but is relevant to health practitioners who want to understand and deliver the
rights to healthcare and health protection for everyone. The Commission engaged with health
professionals throughout the development of the short guide.
• Call for a human rights-based approach to disaster response and emergencies
A checklist to ensure human righs are prioritised during relief and recovery efforts was released
in March 2023 to help government agencies, local and national officials, and others, apply
human rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their relief efforts. Disaster response must be guided
by principles of non-discrimination, participation and inclusion, accountability and transparency,
respect for dignity and privacy, protection of vulnerable groups, and access to justice.
• Parliamentary submissions
Over 21 formal submissions to parliamentary select committees and government agencies on
Bills and proposed policy reforms were delivered during the period. These covered a wide array
of public policy activity and legislative reform, such as the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill,
the Second Independent Review on Intelligence and Security Act, the review of the Corrections
Act 2004 and Corrections Regulations 2005, the Law Commission Review of Adult DecisionMaking Capacity Law, the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill, the Electoral (Māori
Electoral Option) Bill, the Housing and Urban Development draft Code of Practice for Transitional
Housing, the Natural and Built Environment Bill, the Declaration of Inconsistency by the Supreme
Court in the Make it 16 v Attorney General case regarding the voting age, and the review of the
Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights.
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Pūrongo ā-tau Annual Report 2023