The Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) set out to identify and understand the issues relevant to human rights realisation for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. This paper contains information obtained from a series of community meetings hosted by the Commission, engagements with government and private organisations, local research and reports from intergovernmental organisations, like the UN and its specialised agencies.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a foundation piece about human rights of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. It identifies how human rights fits within the unique context of Pacific peoples, and how they provide a baseline understanding of the issues that require greater attention and collaboration. It aims to raise awareness of these issues and make recommendations as to how they can be addressed. The focus of this paper is on the human rights issues of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. It generally does not cover human rights issues within Pacific Island countries, apart from some issues in the Realm countries (Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) and climate change-related issues.

The Commission hopes that this paper can be used as a basis for greater discussion and collaboration, and an advocacy tool for discussion around human rights of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand.