New Zealand’s 7th periodic review under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Submission of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission to the Committee against Torture’s 60th session The New Zealand Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity pursuant to the Crown Entities Act and derives its statutory mandate from the Human Rights Act 1993. The long title to the Human Rights Act states it is intended to provide better protection of human rights in New Zealand in general accordance with United Nations human rights Covenants and Conventions. Contact Persons: David Rutherford Michael White Chief Commissioner Senior Legal Adviser DavidR@hrc.co.nz MichaelW@hrc.co.nz April 2017 1