Right now, a scathing report by the United Nations committee that monitors implementations of the racial discrimination treaty, CERD, has caused a deserved stir. In particular, the submission addresses how the New Zealand government’s policies have affected Māori rights. Te Ohanga Nui The report assesses the government’s response and examines the impact of these policies on Māori whānau. It is the beginning of an eight year cycle for signatories to the convention.
Māori leader Lady Tureiti Moxon took the stage in Geneva to raise her alarm bell. She emphasized the adverse effects of the new, government-imposed regulations. Since coming into office in 2023, the New Zealand government has made sweeping changes to policies impacting Māori. On top of that, they’re even proposing to eliminate all treaty clauses from the legislation. The committee warns that these moves could “risk entrenching historical, structural, and systemic discrimination against Māori.”
The report outlines several key areas of concern, including the government’s decision to disband the Māori Health Authority and cut public funding for Māori services. These actions, according to the committee, “may seriously risk weakening the legal, institutional, and policy framework for the implementation” of racial discrimination protections. Moreover, there are worries about the downgrading of the Treaty of Waitangi’s place in public life.
The committee raised alarm over persistent gaps experienced by Māori. These problems hit education, housing, and health the hardest. The report paints a picture of an ongoing lack of opportunities for Māori people to contribute politically and in public life. It highlights how Māori political expression inside of parliament has been “disproportionately scrutinised and sanctioned.”
Appetite for Change Chair Lady Tureiti Moxon said it was one of the harshest reports’ findings in recent memory.
“CERD is clear: New Zealand is moving backwards on racial equality, and Māori rights are under serious threat,” – Lady Tureiti Moxon
The committee’s report shows a dramatic contrast to previous evaluations. Curiously, the 2017 review welcomed steps taken to protect Māori rights and advance racial equity. The current report states,
“This is the strongest critique of New Zealand CERD has ever issued. Unlike the 2017 review, which acknowledged progress, this report finds virtually no positive steps on Māori rights or racial equity,” – [no specific name mentioned]
Unfortunately, many political and public actors have weaponized affirmative action initiatives. They instead mischaracterize these well-intended efforts to counter structural discrimination as “racial privilege,” an accusation that this committee rightly believes runs contrary to universal human rights. This solution-oriented framing proves to be further complicating the efforts for Māori communities to receive equity and representation.
The committee acted quickly in the wake of these discoveries. They encouraged the New Zealand government to do more to revitalize the Māori language and address inequities in health, education, and other areas. The report calls for a recommitment to policies that treat Māori people with dignity and respect, and materially benefit Māori. It goes even further, stressing the need to respect their human rights and cultural identity.
As the government grapples with these recommendations, it is at a key moment in history in terms of its race relations with Māori communities. The ongoing scrutiny from international bodies like CERD serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding rights and addressing historical grievances.