In the media

DPA welcomes the findings of New Zealand’s review of the UN Committee on Eliminating Racial Discrimination (CERD).

In the review, the UN Committee considered our government’s actions to eliminate racism and racial discrimination and promote understanding between all races in Aotearoa New Zealand as part of implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which New Zealand has signed up to.

The Committee calls for New Zealand to:

• uphold its commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi as a constitutional framework for equal participation and partnership
• counter misinformation and divisive narratives about the Treaty
• ensure that any review of relevant frameworks is carried out in full consultation and partnership with Māori and in line with free, prior and informed consent.

The report also addresses intersecting forms of discrimination against women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and LGBTI individuals who identify as Māori, Pacific, other ethnic groups, or migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers, to ensure their equitable access to employment, social protection, health care, education, and participation in public and political life all of which DPA has consistently highlighted  in its submissions to the New Zealand government.

DPA’s shadow report and presentation to UNCERD

Along with other organisations, such as Deaf Aotearoa and IHC, DPA submitted a shadow report to be considered by UNCERD. The shadow report was researched and written by our policy advisor, Patti Poa, who also joined the Committee for an online lunch time briefing about disabled people of race who encounter both racism and ableism.

Patti raised health and cultural rights, the legacy of colonialism and being excluded from services, and highlighted Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a foundational document for Aotearoa New Zealand and Disabled Person's Assembly.

The Committee raised the following points, which DPA has also highlighted in its submissions to NZ government:

• the harmful effects of intersectional discrimination for disabled people
• the weakening of institutional frameworks and the impact on tangata whaikaha Māori such as the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority Te Aka Whai Ora in 2024
• that the recommendations from Royal Commission of Inquiry on Abuse in Care need to be implemented in full
• that Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act needs to be restored to enable a “whānau-first” placement approach.
• that the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill (2024) needs to be withdrawn, especially the military-style “boot camps”
• that the “acceptable standard of health” requirement in immigration and asylum is discriminatory and need to be reviewed and reformed.

Read the full report of UNCERD’s review of New Zealand.
Read DPA’s shadow report to UNCERD.
Find the details of the session, who represented New Zealand, and the supporting documents.