The Human Rights Council of the United Nations has adopted the outcomes of the human rights review of New Zealand in Geneva last night.

In the process known as the Universal Periodic Review, New Zealand presented a report on its progress on human rights commitments in May this year.

Ms Dell Higgie, newly appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the UN, said the Government strongly supported the UPR process which had highlighted significant human rights challenges. These included: social disparities between Māori and non-Māori the status of the Treaty of Waitangi family violence equality of opportunities the over-representation of Māori in the criminal justice system the ratification of international human rights treaties.

In its statement presented to the Human Rights Council last night, the Human Rights Commission welcomed the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Simon Power's clear statement to the UN of the Government's commitment to respecting and strengthening human rights nationally and internationally and stressed the need for action on human rights priorities.

The Commission said that New Zealand had responded positively to many of the 64 recommendations, albeit with qualifications in some cases. The challenge now for the Government was to reflect these commitments in legislation and policy initiatives and financial decisions. It would be a further challenge in a time of financial constraint and uncertainty to resist any deliberately retrogressive measures. The Commission emphasised the importance of action on the seven priorities that the Government had identified in its own report to the UN. The Commission, women's groups and trade unions would have welcomed stronger responses to the recommendations relating to equality for women and the gender pay gap.

The Commission and the Ministry of Justice have meetings scheduled in October on how to meet specific challenges through policy, advocacy and education.

For the United Nations account of the Universal Period Review on New Zealand, click here: UN on NZ UPR

For the Human Rights Commission's statement to the United Nations click here: Commission statement at UN Human Rights Council.