Eliminating poverty The Commission will highlight through, research, education and advocacy, the human rights and te Tiriti dimensions of poverty and contribute practical, implementable human rights and Tiriti based recommendations and insights for its reduction and elimination in Aotearoa New Zealand. Tangata whenua have a unique poverty experience in Aotearoa, since 95% of their resources were taken by the government leaving them bereft through the processes of colonisation. Rationale The experience of poverty creates real barriers to social inclusion and the enjoyment of human rights for individuals and communities. In our external stakeholder engagement, 50 percent of respondents listed the right to an adequate standard of living as one of their top three issues. Poverty is a human right and te Tiriti issue. It undermines the realisation of other rights, including the right to a decent home, access to healthcare and protection, participation in cultural life, equal access to justice, the right to education, the right to privacy and the right to rest and leisure. The government took power, land, and resources from tangata whenua to benefit itself and settlers with many tangata whenua left in abject intergenerational poverty and destitution. Disadvantaged communities tend to experience higher levels of crime and violence than more affluent communities. Interventions The Human Rights Commission will take a human rights and Tiriti based approach to eliminating poverty: Tino rangatiratanga • Undertake research that highlights the human rights and te Tiriti dimensions of poverty, including the impact of colonisation on tangata whenua • In partnership with tangata whenua, develop and share guidelines and tools that can be used to address the causes and impacts of poverty for tangata whenua • Inquire into and report upon dutybearers’ performance in addressing the causes and impacts of poverty for tangata whenua • Provide effective strategic advocacy on systemic issues relating to poverty – proactively or when invited – to support tangata whenua to exercise tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake • Provide an effective disputes resolution service, and legal representation under the Human Rights Act 1993 32 | Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Kāwanatanga • Undertake research that highlights the human rights and te Tiriti dimensions of poverty • In partnership with communities, develop and share guidelines and tools that can be used to address the causes and impacts of poverty for individuals and communities • Inquire into and report upon dutybearers’ performance in addressing the causes and impacts of poverty for individuals and communities • Provide effective strategic advocacy on systemic issues relating to poverty – proactively or when invited – to support tangata whenua to exercise tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake • Provide an effective disputes resolution service, and legal representation under the Human Rights Act 1993