Tūi Tūi Tuituiā

Kōrero Whakatataki – Introduction

This year’s annual review of race relations in Aotearoa New Zealand marks a decade of efforts to further foster harmonious race relations and promote the equal enjoyment of human rights by all New Zealanders. The Commission’s first review was published in 2004.

During 2013, my first year as Race Relations Commissioner, I have seen first-hand how Aotearoa New Zealand’s growing diversity is building richer and more vibrant communities. I also gained insight into new race relations challenges and heard from those who’ve experienced racial discrimination and harassment. I enjoyed in-depth discussions with community, iwi and faith leaders and attended many inspiring events and celebrations. It was an honour to commemorate Matariki with King Tūheitia in Ngāruawāhia, to break bread with a multi-faith group hosted by Wellington’s Jewish community, and to enjoy a special Iftar meal marking the end of Ramadan at Parliament. There have been many other memorable experiences.

I was incredibly moved when Afghan interpreters and their families were welcomed by the Defence Force, the New Zealand Police and the people of Hamilton at a pōwhiri at Kirikiriroa Marae. How great would it be if we could treat all new New Zealanders this way?

This year also saw the passing of Nelson Mandela − a hero of the human rights movement and a voice for unity, dignity and respect. His inspirational commitment to racial equality remains as an example to us all. Mandela’s humility and leadership, compassion and dignity, humour and humanity will continue to enlighten and inform the human rights work of the many people he inspired and championed.

His death also reminds us of the history behind the International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Observed on March 21 each year, the day commemorates the tragedy in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when over 50 people were killed during protests against discriminatory apartheid laws. For New Zealanders, March 21, Race Relations Day, is an opportunity to actively nurture and celebrate our diversity. It also offers us a time to reflect on, and justify our country’s reputation as a world leader in building harmonious communities. It gives us time to think about the realities of many New Zealanders, and the challenges ahead.

Race Relations in 2013 identifies several important areas for action.

We must work together to ensure new migrants are welcomed and well supported. This is a priority, as is making sure newcomers have access to meaningful employment and workplaces where they are treated with dignity and respect.

It is important that all New Zealanders are able to participate in informed and stimulating discussions about the future shape of our constitutional arrangements. These discussions should aim to pave the way toward firmly consolidating Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of our nation and putting human rights at the heart of our country’s laws and values.

Listening to people’s experiences of race relations I am too often reminded of those frequently unrecognised instances of everyday racial harassment − the jokes, statements and casual comments made by individuals who fail to understand the profound offence and hurt they are causing. If Aotearoa New Zealand is to remain a world leader in race relations, we must continue to challenge negative attitudes, build understanding and foster inclusion.

Figures from this year’s Census show Aotearoa New Zealand is more ethnically diverse than ever. In order to grasp the new opportunities this diversity provides, we must all take action, tangible steps, to realise human rights, eliminate discrimination and affirm a sense of belonging or tūrangawaewae for all New Zealanders.

Over the coming year, these priorities will inform New Zealand’s second National Plan of Action for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Dame Susan Devoy
Race Relations Commissioner
Kaihautū Whakawhanaunga-ā-iwi

Whakawhanaungatanga ā Iwi 2013 −
Race Relations in 2013

Whakarongo ake au ki te tangi ā te manu nei, te mā-tui. Tūi-tūi-tuituiā. Tuia i runga, tuia i raro, tuia i waho, tuia i roto. Tuia te here tangata kā rongo te pō, kā rongo te ao. Tūi-tūi-tuituiā te whanaungatanga o te tangata.
Race Relations in 2013 is the tenth annual review of race relations published by the Human Rights Commission. Documenting the main developments in race relations and ethnic diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand over the last year, it identifies efforts made to address racial inequalities. It also records and celebrates some of the many positive contributions made by individuals and community organisations toward harmonious race relations in Aotearoa New Zealand. This review is one of the projects the Human Rights Commission undertakes as a participant in Te Ngira, the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme.

Several significant developments have informed Race Relations in 2013. These include the 2013 Census, revealing the latest changes in our population; and the Constitutional Review − which enabled New Zealanders to discuss the rules and values governing our country.

During the year, Aotearoa New Zealand’s human rights record was scrutinised by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and also by the United Nations Human Rights Council which undertook New Zealand’s second Universal Periodic Review. Both CERD and the Universal Periodic Review identified some important race relations priorities. Several of these are highlighted in this review and should inform part of a national plan of action for human rights.

A quick look back on the last 10 years.

Over the last ten years, the Human Rights Commission has recorded race relations issues and developments in Aotearoa New Zealand. Much has happened since the first review was published in 2004.

1. 
   The ethnic diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand has increased significantly, with the latest Census confirming major change in the make-up of our population.
   
2. 
   Te Ngira, the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, was initiated in 2004. Its membership has grown and it continues to work to bring organisations together, encouraging activities dedicated to promoting cultural and religious diversity and harmonious relations.
   
3. 
   Many initiatives addressing entrenched inequalities in health, justice, employment and education were introduced. Despite progress in some areas, Māori and Pacific people continue to be the most vulnerable to discrimination.
   
4. 
   Tangata Whenua have continued to assert their human rights, as protected by Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and international human rights law. Through the settlement of Treaty claims, the worth of the Māori economy has grown to an estimated $37 billion. Māori Television went to air, building a connection to Māori culture for all New Zealanders and major public programmes such as Whānau Ora and others were introduced, driven by Māori cultural values.
   
5. 
   New Zealand endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and reaffirmed Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to advancing the human rights of indigenous people.
   
6. 
   Regional and community-led strategies were established and expanded to welcome and support new migrants and refugees. These initiatives continue to adapt to changes in immigration law and to the circumstances of the many different ethnic groups making their home in Aotearoa New Zealand.
   
7. 
   Asian New Zealanders demonstrated ongoing resilience despite being perceived as the group most likely to experience racial discrimination and harassment – a perception which has endured in each of the annual reviews of race relations over the last ten years.
   
8. 
   Social media changed the way we interact with each other, providing exciting new opportunities. It also offers a new platform for racial harassment.
   
9. 
   During the last decade New Zealanders reflected on our country’s constitution and what we would like it to look like in the future. In 2004, this took the shape of a parliamentary discussion, and by 2013 it was the subject of a national conversation.