UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review – 46th Session

Universal Periodic Review of New Zealand

29 April 2024

Statement by Australia

Thank you, President, and Kia Ora to Minister Goldsmith and the delegation of New Zealand.

Australia commends New Zealand for protecting and promoting human rights. In particular, we acknowledge its efforts to: improve capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence; address health service access disparities experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community; and address barriers to equitable sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Australia acknowledges New Zealand's efforts to address inequity in health, education and justice, which disproportionately affect Māori and other minorities.

Australia recommends New Zealand:

1. Introduce legislation and policies requiring businesses to measure and report gender pay gaps.
2. Amend the Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and intersex status.
3. Address systemic inequity that disproportionately affect Māori, including in education, health and justice.