Story: Human rights

UN human rights special rapporteur in New Zealand, 2005

UN human rights special rapporteur in New Zealand, 2005

Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen (left) is welcomed onto Ngāhutotoi marae in Paeroa in November 2005. Stavenhagen was the UN special rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples. The office of special rapporteur was established by the Human Rights Council to report on the situations of indigenous peoples. Stavenhagen visited New Zealand after the passing of the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. He was highly critical of that legislation, seeing it as extinguishing Māori customary rights. New Zealand was visited by Stavenhagen's successor, Professor James Anaya, in July 2010. While acknowledging New Zealand's efforts, Anaya pointed out the continued inequalities between Māori and non-Māori. Sections of the New Zealand public have been highly critical of 'outsiders' – including the UN rapporteurs – commenting on New Zealand's human-rights record.

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How to cite this page:

Paul Rishworth, 'Human rights - International human-rights treaties', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/34486/un-human-rights-special-rapporteur-in-new-zealand-2005 (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Paul Rishworth, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Jun 2016