Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you Chair.
Racism, in all forms, is abhorrent and unacceptable. New Zealand is fully committed to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
New Zealand’s founding document is the Treaty of Waitangi signed in 1840.
It provides a foundation of reciprocal rights and obligations, mutual respect and cooperation between Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, and the Government.
While New Zealand has a strong human rights record, there are areas where we are falling short of our aspirations. This includes addressing racism within our country.
The impacts of colonisation continue to be felt, through entrenched structural racism and poor outcomes for Māori.
New Zealand is committed to addressing these inequities and fostering an inclusive society, one that is empathetic and compassionate.
We also hope for an inclusive approach to debating the important issue of racism at the United Nations, in a way that brings countries together and working with civil society.
New Zealand supports dialogue by affirming the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as the basis for all efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate racism in all its forms.
Thank you.