Overview

The Government is preparing its latest report to the United Nations on economic, social and cultural rights in New Zealand.

New Zealand is one of more than 160 countries that have ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Covenant is a treaty that recognises the importance of a variety of rights such as health, education, working conditions and living standards.

Countries that have signed the Covernant have to report periodically to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Committee). New Zealand’s fourth periodic report is due in May 2017.

Why are we consulting?

As part of the process for meeting our UN obligations, we release draft reports for public consultation.

The report responds to a specific list of issues the Committee requested information on, and outlines how the Government is tackling issues such as reducing family and sexual violence, improving health and education outcomes for Maori and Pasifika children and low income families, prohibiting unfair employment practices, and addressing child poverty.

We wanted your feedback to help ensure the report is clear and accurate, and to determine if we should include any other information related to the specific issues raised by the Committee.

Download a copy of the full draft report

Next steps

We will consider your feedback before finalising the report and submitting it to the Committee in May.

You can also make your own report to the Committee about things you believe it should consider or be aware of. Information about how to do this is available at hrc.co.nz/your-rights/human-rights/international-human-rights-legislation/international-obligations.

Personal information and confidentiality

We will hold your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993.

We accept submissions made in confidence or anonymously. Please clearly indicate if you want your submission to be treated as confidential.

We may be asked to release submissions in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1993. These laws have provisions to protect sensitive information given in confidence but we can’t guarantee the information can be withheld. However, we will not release individuals’ contact details.