1 Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi COVID 19 and Alert Level 4 FINAL.pdf

Human Rights and
Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
COVID-19 and Alert Level
4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o
Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho
Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
Human Rights Commission
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata
April 2020

Human rights are key in shaping the pandemic response, both for the public health
emergency and the broader impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Human rights put
people centre-stage. Responses that are shaped by and respect human rights result in
better outcomes in beating the pandemic, ensuring healthcare for everyone and preserving
human dignity. But they also focus our attention on who is suffering most, why, and what
can be done about it. They prepare the ground now for emerging from this crisis with more
equitable and sustainable societies, development and peace.
COVID-19 and Human Rights, United Nations, April 2020

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Contents
Ngā Ihirangi
Foreword - Körero Whakataki
2
Executive Summary
4
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
4
Ten ‘snapshots’
4
Conclusion 5
Key recommendations
6
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
8
Positive practice on which to build
8
International human rights
8
Looking forward towards recovery
9
Snapshots - He whäiroiro
10
Personal Protective Equipment - Taputapu Tautiaki Tangata
10
Access to justice - Äheinga ki te ture manatika
10
Contact tracing, surveillance and data use - Whakapäpä mate rere,
tütei më te whakamahi raraunga
11
Deprivations of liberty - Aukati te noho herekore
11
Racism - Whakatakëtanga
12
Disability - Whaikahatanga
13
Accessible information
13
Absence of disaggregated data
13
Family violence - Whakarekereke ä-whare
14
Older people
14
Women - Te ira wahine
15
Employment - Whakamahingia
15
Poverty 15
Housing 16
Reflecting on employment, poverty, housing
16
Conclusion - Körero whakamutunga
17
Put human rights on the table
17
Independent accountability
17
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
17
1

Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Foreword - Kōrero Whakataki
He kura tangihia, he maimai aroha.
Ko te tangihanga tëtahi mätäpuna o te ao Mäori, e toitü ana ki tënei rä.
He kaupapa nui te poroporoaki ki te hunga mate. I tënei wä mate korona,
ka whai pänga mai ngä whakaritenga rähui ki runga i te whänau pani.
Ka taumaha rawa atu. I tënei wä pouri, ka tukuna mätou o mätou aroha ki ngä whänau e noho mokemoke ana.
Kia pümau te matihere o te wähi ngaro ki a tätou.
Haere, haere, haere atu rä.
Our ngäkau aroha goes out to all of those who are
performed very well, especially when compared to
grieving the loss of loved ones in Aotearoa New Zealand
many other high-income countries. Nonetheless,
and overseas. So far, the country has avoided wholesale
the government’s approach to COVID-19 has some
catastrophic loss of life, but it is not unscathed. The
significant shortcomings, some of which will emerge in
weight of the lives lost to COVID-19 is immeasurable.
the ‘snapshots’ and others we signal in the Conclusion.
The grief of all whänau who have lost loved ones in the
lockdown is intensified by the inability to provide them
Human rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi are not only about
with close support and care.
rights, they are also about responsibilities. They place
responsibilities on government and others holding public
As we adjust to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, the Human
power, and they also place responsibilities on individuals
Rights Commission provides some ‘snapshots’ of how
to their communities. As the Universal Declaration
the Level 4 lockdown impacted upon human rights and
of Human Rights puts it, everyone has duties to the
Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
community in which the free and full development of
their personality is possible.
We can learn from the Level 4 experience as we take
steps in Level 3 towards recovery.
This human rights responsibility of individuals to their
communities – staying in our bubbles, social distancing,
Aotearoa New Zealand is living through a health,
getting tested, protecting iwi, hapü and whänau, looking
economic and human rights emergency. The human
out for each other – was one of the strongest features
rights issues are numerous, complex and profound.
of Level 4.
They engage Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our national and
international human rights commitments.
Human rights and responsibilities, and respect for Te
Tiriti o Waitangi, should be hallmarks of the country’s
In due course, the Commission will investigate these
recovery from the pandemic.
complexities in detail. For now, our goal is modest: to
provide some human rights ‘snapshots’ from Level 4
As we look forward to recovery, our children’s future
which can help to navigate what lies ahead. We are not
must be centre stage. The impact on tamariki of
suggesting the issues covered are the most pressing and
COVID-19 – the virus and the measures to control it –
important. Prepared as Level 4 drew to a close, these
should not be understated. Like many adults, children
‘snapshots’ are short and illustrative.
are experiencing increased anxiety, loneliness, feelings
of lack of control, and worries about how their families
The government must be strongly commended for
will make it through.
protecting the health and lives of so many tangata
whenua and New Zealanders. Overall, the country’s
The immediate stress and long-term impacts are not
systems of health protection and health care have
evenly shared: they disproportionately fall on those
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Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
who were already finding it tough beforehand. There
I want to thank my colleagues who worked extremely
are distinctive impacts on children and young people
hard to produce this short report in only a few days.
separated from loved ones, for example in secure care
Events are fast-moving and time is of the essence. We
and protection.
hope the report contributes to helpful discussion and
constructive action. We welcome further engagement
Children need good information about the pandemic,
on these serious issues. If there are any slips, I take full
and ongoing attention to their human rights to
responsibility for them.
education, play, safe access to the online world,
involvement in decision-making, and their right for them
and their families to be safe, warm and well-nourished.
The Human Rights Commission will continue to support
work by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner,
and other partners, to promote children’s rights in the
pandemic and recovery.
Paul Hunt
Chief Human Rights Commissioner
This publication begins with a section on Te Tiriti o
Te Amokapua
Waitangi, followed by ten human rights ‘snapshots’, and
a Conclusion with additional pointers for the future.
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Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Executive Summary
Our ngäkau aroha goes out to all those who are grieving
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
the loss of loved ones in Aotearoa New Zealand and
Te Tiriti requires proactive support from the government
beyond. We are living through a health, economic and
for rangatiratanga, alongside ensuring equity of
human rights emergency. The COVID-19 emergency
outcomes for tangata whenua. During the COVID-19
has major implications for the country’s national and
crisis it has been encouraging to see examples of Tiriti
international human rights commitments, which have
partnership working in practice and strong leadership
been affirmed by successive governments over several
being exercised by both partners. Where responsibilities
decades, as well as its constitutional foundation, Te Tiriti
overlap, there has been cooperation reinforced by a
o Waitangi.
strong sense of shared purpose to contain COVID-19
The rights to life, health protection and health care
and to protect Mäori and all New Zealanders. A positive
place obligations on the government to do all it can
example is the iwi and hapü-led rähui checkpoints,
to respond effectively and equitably to COVID-19.
carried out in a spirit of collaboration with police,
Consistent with these human rights obligations, the
councils and civil defence. Positive references to Te
government has responded to the pandemic with vigour
Tiriti in key documents are welcome, but it is sometimes
and determination. The Human Rights Commission
unclear how these obligations are being implemented
strongly commends the government for protecting the
in practice. Honouring Tiriti and human rights
health and lives of so many tangata whenua and New
commitments is vital to ensure an effective response
Zealanders. Overall, the country’s systems of health
to COVID-19 and to prevent the erosion of trust and
protection and health care have performed very well.
confidence within Crown-Mäori relationships.
Nonetheless, the government’s approach to COVID-19
Ten ‘snapshots’
has some significant shortcomings. This short report
Each ‘snapshot’ briefly considers a specific issue or
provides ten ‘snapshots’ of how the Level 4 lockdown
population group in Alert Level 4 as it enters Level 3
impacted upon human rights and Te Tiriti. We can learn
towards recovery. The short, illustrative subjects are
from this experience as we take steps in Level 3 towards
interconnected:
recovery. While there is much to commend in New
Zealand’s response to COVID-19, Te Tiriti and human
•  Personal protective equipment
rights have not been integrated across the response to
•  Access to justice
the pandemic.
•  Contact tracing, surveillance and data use
Human rights and Te Tiriti are not only about rights, they
•  Deprivations of liberty
are also about responsibilities i.e. the responsibilities
• Racism
on the government to the people, as well as the
•  Disability: Accessible information and absence of
responsibilities on individuals to their communities. As
disaggregated data
we look forward to recovery, our children’s future, and
•  Family violence
their human rights, must be centre stage.
•  Older people
• Women
•  Employment: Poverty and housing
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Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
Conclusion
Human rights do not provide magic solutions to grave
credit for holding government accountable during Level
crises, but they have a constructive contribution
4. The Epidemic Response Committee has also done a
to make. They embody values - the importance of
good job. Those exercising discretionary powers cannot
partnership, participation, protection, safety, dignity,
hold themselves accountable. In these circumstances,
decency, fairness, freedom, equality, respect, wellbeing,
nimble, effective, independent accountability
community and responsibility - which provide a
mechanisms have a crucial role to play in Level 3 and
compass for the way forward. Increasingly operational,
beyond.
human rights can help to both chart and implement an
effective, equitable, balanced, sustainable medium and
In the context of COVID-19, we urge the government to
long-term response to COVID-19. They can help to strike
renew and reinvigorate its commitment to Te Tiriti and
fair balances and identify proportionate responses.
to work in partnership with Mäori and jointly devise and
implement strategies in Level 3 and the recovery phase.
In times of emergency, those in authority are granted
sweeping new discretionary powers and, in these
Human rights and responsibilities, and respect for Te
circumstances, robust accountability becomes vitally
Tiriti o Waitangi, should be hallmarks of the country’s
important. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the media deserve
recovery from the pandemic.
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Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Key recommendations
Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Deprivations of liberty
•  Ensure human rights and Te Tiriti based partnership
•  With appropriate COVID 19 safety measures,
across the Government’s COVID-19 response. A
provide unrestricted access to prisons, police cells,
coordinated whole-of-government strategy building
secure mental health and dementia units, youth
on the work begun last year towards a national
justice facilities and care and protection residences
action plan for the UN Declaration on the Rights of
for monitoring agencies (National Preventive
Indigenous Peoples.
Mechanisms).
•  Government and Mäori strengthen mechanisms to
•  Ensure the crucial role of National Preventive
support partnership decision-making that affirms
Mechanisms’ unrestricted visits is understood by
the käwanatanga of government and rangatiratanga
detaining agencies and their access is incorporated
of hapü, iwi, and Mäori.
into plans for dealing with emergencies.
•  Tiriti partners work together on all COVID-19 issues,
including changes to alert levels.
Racism
•  Make an express commitment to address racism as
Personal Protective Equipment
part of the COVID-19 response including explicit
•  Improve guidance on, and access to, PPE (masks,
public messaging and awareness raising.
gloves and gowns) for home and community
•  Prioritise the development of a National Action Plan
support workers.
Against Racism, anchored in Te Tiriti o Waitangi,
as well as the views and experience of tangata
Access to justice
whenua, and those communities who are currently
feeling the impact of racism most acutely.
•  Provide the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT)
with adequate resources to hear and decide claims
Disability
remotely.
•  Support HRRT staff to work from home.
•  Proactively involve disabled people in the drafting
and production of materials and information and
•  Encourage the HRRT to progress all existing claims
ensure accessible information is available and easy
and conduct hearings by alternative means, such as
to locate.
video link.
•  Link tängata whaikaha (Mäori disabled people) to
Mäori and disability COVID-19 response teams to
Contact tracing, surveillance and data use
benefit from, and contribute to, self-determined
•  Appropriately balance the right to privacy with
culturally effective and disability sensitive
the right to health when considering digital
initiatives.
contact tracing to ensure that any impacts on
•  Ensure that disaggregated data on disability are
people’s privacy are strictly necessary, lawful and
collected to better understand how disabled people
proportionate.
are affected by the pandemic.
•  Ensure digital contact information is only provided
to public health workers, be of a minimal nature and
be accessible only while COVID-19 remains a threat.
•  Ensure decisions on contact tracing, surveillance
and data use are undertaken in partnership with iwi
and Mäori and uphold rangatiratanga.
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Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
Family Violence
Employment
•  Increase funding and support for those at risk of
•  Ensure transparent Tiriti based equity across the
violence. Direct funding to inclusive and accessible
government approach including continuation of
services, both prevention and response. These
targeted employment measures to support Mäori,
initiatives should reflect Tiriti partnership, support
whanau, business, employment and stimulus
Mäori-led approaches and advance equitable
packages.
outcomes.
•  Ensure any fast-tracked development projects
•  Ensure that the lessons from this pandemic are
uphold indigenous rights to lands and resources,
documented for future preparedness planning and
and enhance Mäori participation, in line with Te
implementation.
Tiriti and the human rights obligation of free, prior
and informed consent.
Older people
•  Increase investment in tertiary education to lift
the prosperity of Mäori, women, Pacific, disabled,
•  Improve pandemic preparedness and planning for
migrant workers, ethnic minorities, marginalised
aged care facilities and ensure older people are
youth, and older workers.
provided with the opportunity to influence those
decisions.
Poverty
•  Provide continued support, including funding, to
service providers which rely heavily on volunteers
•  Consider the recommendations of the Child
and provide support for older people
Poverty Action Group to build on the government’s
•  Ensure simple communications are available in
COVID-19 welfare package.
as many languages as possible, and in a range of
•  Accept and implement the outstanding Welfare
formats, to support older people who are migrants
Expert Advisory Group recommendations for the
or in minority ethnic groups. Recognise that many
improvement of the social welfare system.
kaumätua and kuia are not part of, or represented
•  Urgently implement recommendations 19 to 23 of
by, older people’s organisations and groups.
that report, to ensure that those already receiving
benefits, or facing a shift to welfare, receive
Women
adequate income support to maintain an adequate
standard of living.
•  Collect data disaggregated by gender, and other
grounds, in relation to those people receiving the
COVID-19 wage subsidy.
Housing
•  Ensure those living in homelessness and insecure
Family violence
housing who were housed by the government
during Alert Level 4 are not made homeless again.
•  Collect disaggregated data on family violence during
•  Use recovery investment to build healthy housing
the pandemic and report on how different groups
stock.
have been affected.
•  Develop a human rights-based housing strategy for
Aotearoa New Zealand as recommended by the
UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate
housing in 2020.
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Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
When Spanish influenza reached New Zealand in
While there is much to commend in New Zealand’s
1918, the pre-European Mäori population had more
response to COVID-19, Te Tiriti and human rights
than halved due to introduced disease and land wars.
have not been integrated across the response to the
Mäori deaths from this influenza were seven times
pandemic. These fundamental values and safeguards
higher than non-Mäori, in part due to many Mäori
should be at the heart of the response.
communities being left to fend for themselves. The
severe and uneven impacts of introduced disease will
Positive references to Te Tiriti in key documents are
always be in the hearts and minds of tangata whenua.
welcome, but it is sometimes unclear how these
obligations are being implemented in practice. At
Today, health modelling shows that tangata whenua
this critical time, Crown-Mäori relationships must be
are at a much higher risk of illness and death from
elevated from sporadic engagement to substantive
COVID-19 compared to non-Mäori. Iwi have taken
partnership and equitably shared decision-making.
a strong leadership role and decisive action against
COVID-19, seeking to protect their most vulnerable
The Commission welcomes government efforts such as
and avoid a repeat of the devastation from previous
funding support for Mäori, the ramping up of targeted
pandemics.
testing and the Ministry of Health’s Mäori Response
Action Plan, which includes a significant focus on
Positive practice on which to build
equity. There has been a welcome commitment from
the Ministry to work together with its Tiriti partners.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi requires proactive support from
the government for rangatiratanga, alongside ensuring
International human rights
equity of outcomes for tangata whenua. Te Tiriti
and human rights provide for co-existing systems of
Efforts to address health and other disparities affecting
governance: Crown käwanatanga authority and iwi and
Mäori are unlikely to be effective if they are not real
hapü rangatiratanga.
partnerships upholding Mäori self-determination.
Effective measures for Maori are those by Mäori and
During the COVID-19 crisis it has been encouraging to
with Mäori, and which affirm Te Tiriti as a whole.
see examples of Tiriti partnership working in practice
and strong leadership being exercised by both partners.
Domestic Tiriti obligations are supported by international
Where responsibilities overlap, there has been
human rights, including the UN Declaration on the
cooperation reinforced by a strong sense of shared
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration highlights
purpose to contain the coronavirus and to protect
the fundamental importance of the rights to self-
Mäori and all New Zealanders.
determination, to participate in decision-making, and to
free, prior and informed consent in relation to initiatives
A positive example is the iwi and hapü-led rähui
that affect indigenous peoples.
checkpoints, carried out in a spirit of collaboration
with police, councils and civil defence. The
The UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous
Commission welcomes the Police approach of
Peoples notes that COVID-19 is likely to exacerbate a
recognising iwi concerns and seeking to model Tiriti
critical situation where inequalities and discrimination
partnership. The Commission encourages constructive
already abound. The Chair of the UN Permanent Forum
partnership between Police, iwi and hapü as the
on Indigenous Issues highlights the need to take steps
response to COVID-19 develops over time.
to protect and prioritise Indigenous Peoples, as well as
to recognise their contributions and leadership.
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Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
Looking forward towards recovery
and informed consent. A deliberate and structured
approach may help to ensure coordination between
Honouring Tiriti and human rights commitments is
the two co-existing systems and also provide a forum
vital to ensure an effective response to COVID-19 and
for negotiating agreement on more difficult questions.
to prevent the erosion of trust and confidence within
Crown-Mäori relationships.
There needs to be a greater focus on advancing
Tiriti-based equity for Mäori including strengthening
Building on positive examples, the government and
the Ministry of Health’s Mäori Response Action Plan.
Mäori should strengthen mechanisms to support
Alongside the risk of COVID-19, Mäori communities
partnership decision-making that affirms the
will be burdened with untreated and undiagnosed
käwanatanga of government and rangatiratanga of
conditions and unmet needs that are likely to have
hapü, iwi and Mäori.
worsened during the Level 4 lockdown. It is crucial that
Partnership should go beyond engagement and
the vulnerabilities of Mäori are given a high priority
encompass meaningful, equitable, shared decision-
across the health system. Robust data collection and
making. Where Mäori rights are significantly affected,
analysis will be critical.
for example by restrictions on tikanga Mäori, the
Overall, a well-coordinated COVID-19 strategy,
obligation of free, prior and informed consent should
grounded in Te Tiriti and human rights, is required
be applied and rangatiratanga upheld.
across all government agencies and sectors.
Government must work with Tiriti partners on all
Finally, it appears that there were significant gaps in
COVID-19 issues, including changes to alert levels.
the long-term pandemic planning of successive New
Some iwi and hapü have expressed concerns about
Zealand governments. As we move into Alert Level
lowering alert levels and may wish to maintain higher
3 and towards recovery, we urge the government
levels of regional protection. Where käwanatanga
to ensure that the lessons from this pandemic are
and rangatiratanga views diverge, there should be
documented for future planning and implementation
negotiations with a view to reaching agreement in
based on Te Tiriti.
line with the human rights obligation of free, prior
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Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Snapshots - He whāiroiro
Personal Protective Equipment - Taputapu
Explicit consideration of the government’s human rights
Tautiaki Tangata
and Te Tiriti obligations in relation to PPE will help to
ensure that it does better in Alert Level 3 than it did in
Access to PPE (masks, gloves and gowns) is pivotal to
Level 4.
ensuring appropriate protection for the people most
vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, such as disabled
Te Tiriti requires Mäori leadership and partnership in
people, older people and those with underlying health
relation to all health issues, including PPE. Likewise, the
conditions.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
requires that disabled people should be involved in
Home and community support workers provide critical
decisions that impact on them, such as those relating to
care for at-risk communities. The intimate and mobile
PPE.
nature of support work creates significant risks. These
can be mitigated by adequate and equitable access to
Access to justice - Āheinga ki te ture
PPE.
manatika
The response to concerns within the home and
The Human Rights Review Tribunal closed for the
community workforce, and those it cares for, has been
duration of alert Level 4.
slow. In the absence of adequate PPE, some disabled
people and support workers halted support work
Justice delayed is justice denied. Many claimants in
arrangements to reduce their risk of exposure.
the Human Rights Review Tribunal are vulnerable: they
may have suffered discrimination, racist attacks, sexual
Following persistent advocacy by the Disability
harassment or privacy breaches.
Rights Commissioner and others, PPE was made
available to the community workforce. But significant
All hearings for March, April and May 2020 are
problems persist, including the absence of sector
cancelled and timetables are suspended for other
specific guidance on PPE use. District Health Boards’
matters, putting later hearings at risk. There has been
unfamiliarity with the disability sector is also a
no attempt to hear claims or procedural issues remotely,
problem.
no new claims are being processed and there has been
no uptake of the use of technology to progress claims.
Iwi response teams, Mäori providers and Mäori
community organisations have struggled to access PPE
By contrast, some courts have embraced the challenge
in order to keep themselves and whänau protected.
of working differently under Level 4. For example, the
Employment Court processed new claims. The Court
The Auditor-General has recently launched an
contacted parties to arrange hearings on the papers, by
independent review into PPE management during the
telephone or audio-visual link. It continued to release
COVID-19 crisis.
decisions and an active Twitter account gave updates.
We commend that approach.
Everyone is entitled to health protection from epidemic
diseases. Human rights, including the rights to life,
On the other hand, the Tribunal’s approach is a serious
health protection and equality, and Te Tiriti, require
human rights issue: it is inconsistent with the claimants’
the government to take all effective and reasonable
right to an effective remedy for the significant harm
measures to provide adequate and equitable access to
they have suffered.
PPE.
In Alert Level 3, we urge the government to provide the
The government has fallen short of these obligations.
Tribunal with adequate resources to hear and decide
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Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
claims remotely. A human rights approach would see
The use of digital tools for tracing COVID-19 should
all Tribunal staff, including decision makers, working
be voluntary. High levels of public trust and uptake
from home. They should be encouraged to progress
are essential if they are to be effective. The Privacy
all existing claims and conduct hearings by alternative
Commissioner has noted that the way information
means.
is collected and distributed is essential to balancing
health and privacy. Information should only be
Contact tracing, surveillance and data
provided to public health workers, be of a minimal
use - Whakapāpā mate rere, tūtei mē te
nature and be accessible only while COVID-19 remains
whakamahi raraunga
a threat.1
Contact tracing involves the gathering of data from
Decisions on contact tracing, surveillance and data use
individuals who have come into contact with people
must be undertaken in partnership with iwi and Mäori,
who have the coronavirus. It is a key public health
uphold rangatiratanga and address Mäori equity issues.
measure for containing and eliminating COVID-19.
Iwi and Mäori organisations should have access to data
and information to enable their effective participation
The government has confirmed that digital contact
in decision-making, inform their self-determined
tracing technology will be used, on a voluntary basis,
responses, and monitor equity of outcomes.
to assist with contact tracing. A recent independent
audit of COVID-19 contact tracing (the Verrall report),
Deprivations of liberty - Aukati te noho
notes that the Ministry of Health and local developers
herekore
are working on a smartphone app for this purpose
and recommends that its development is rapidly
Under Alert Level 4, people held in prisons, police
completed.
cells, secure mental health and dementia units, youth
justice facilities and care and protection residences
By enhancing the speed and scope of contact tracing,
were effectively locked down from the outside world.
digital technology has the potential to positively
impact on the public health measures taken by the
Research shows that such people are vulnerable to
government towards eliminating COVID-19.
cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. This risk is
heightened when they are cut off from full interactions
There is a concern that this technology has the
with independent monitoring agencies, statutory
potential to be used repressively for purposes other
visitors and their whänau.
than public health, such as general intelligence-
gathering and surveillance.
During a respiratory pandemic, people who are
deprived of their liberty have a greater risk of infection
The use of digital contact tracing involves the
due to living in close proximity to one another and
balancing of the right to privacy with the right to
their limited ability to take their own precautionary
health, which includes prevention, treatment and
measures. They are also more likely to have
control of epidemic disease. A human rights approach
compromised health and therefore be more vulnerable
will help the government to appropriately balance
to coronavirus.
its privacy and public health obligations when
considering digital contact tracing. This approach
The Human Rights Commission is the Central National
requires the government to ensure that any impacts
Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol
on people’s privacy are strictly necessary, lawful and
to the United Nations Convention against Torture.
proportionate.
1Reported TVNZ, 9 April 2020, available here and at the Office of Privacy Commissioner website here
11

Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Commission’s role is to support and coordinate
Racism - Whakatakētanga
New Zealand’s four independent bodies designated to
Since January, there has been a rise in racist and
inspect places of detention. The Chief Ombudsman,
xenophobic language, as well as stigmatisation of
Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Independent
Chinese and Asian communities.
Police Conduct Authority and the Inspectors of Penal
Service Establishments, undertake independent
Chinese community leaders are fearful that a rhetoric
inspections of places of detention to prevent ill-
of blame will encourage further xenophobia and
treatment of those detained. These four agencies are
violence. Individuals from other communities including
known as National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs).
Mäori, have noted concerns about racism during
the period of lockdown. Workers from multicultural
During Level 4, the Commission and NPMs have been
communities have highlighted the risk that racial bias
meeting regularly to develop and improve inspection
may influence business decisions.
practice and criteria in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
NPMs are undertaking information gathering, virtual
Netsafe confirms that from 1 January to 12 April this
inspections, video calls with people in detention,
year, there has been a significant increase in reports
engagement with whänau, developing new inspection
of hate speech. The Human Rights Commission is
criteria, and have been carrying out safe physical
in close touch with the Chinese community and
inspections.
has emphasised to government leaders the current
growing challenge of racism.
NPMs are looking at what lessons have been learnt
at Level 4 and how these can inform their monitoring
The government’s COVID-19 response funding for
at Level 3. One lesson is the limitations of virtual
Mäori and ethnic groups, to prevent disproportionate
inspections for independent monitoring, including
harm caused by existing inequities, is commendable.
engaging appropriately with people in detention.
There must also be an express commitment to address
However, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner
racism as part of the response. We acknowledge the
has found that the use of audio/visual monitoring tools
government’s continuing support for the Commission’s
has proved unexpectedly effective when engaging with
Give Nothing to Racism Campaign, which was being
detained young people. This has enhanced the ability
re-designed shortly before the pandemic reached these
of the monitoring team to obtain real time insight into
islands.
the experiences of detained young people.
Everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand is entitled
NPMs will continue to improve their practice to ensure
to feel safe in their home, at work and in public.
the rights of people deprived of their liberty are
These human rights are among our domestic and
respected.
international commitments. They are also part of our
culture as a nation.
Recent events illustrate the importance of ensuring
that the crucial role of NPMs’ unrestricted visits is
The government must take firm steps to actively
understood by detaining agencies and their access is
discourage racist behaviour. This means explicit public
incorporated into plans for dealing with emergencies.
messaging and awareness raising. Post-COVID-19, the
development of a National Action Plan Against Racism
Given disproportionate rates of detention of
becomes even more important. Such a Plan would
Mäori, acknowledged structural discrimination and
ensure a human rights lens is built into emergency
documented systemic failures over decades, a Tiriti-
preparation, planning and responses. The government
based approach in this area is vital.2
must anchor its approach in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as
2   Uepü Häpai i te Oranga, (2019), Türuki! Türuki! Move Together! The second report of the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group. Accessible at:
https://www.safeandeffectivejustice.govt.nz/about-this-work/te-uepu-report/
12

Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
well as the views and experience of tangata whenua,
Tängata whaikaha (Mäori disabled people) must be
while also highlighting the impact of racism on those
linked to Mäori and disability COVID-19 response
communities who are currently feeling it most acutely.
teams to benefit from, and contribute to, self-
determined culturally effective and disability sensitive
Lack of understanding can sometimes lead to a
initiatives.
backlash against steps to uphold Te Tiriti and this
highlights the continued need for education and to
Absence of disaggregated data
remain firmly committed to Te Tiriti and Mäori human
rights throughout the COVID-19 recovery phase. Any
COVID-19, and the response to it, have distinctive
attempt to address racism in Aotearoa New Zealand
impacts on disabled people.
must include honest discussions about anti-Mäori
racism in all its forms.
Without data on these impacts, government cannot
ensure individualised and holistic support to disabled
Disability - Whaikahatanga
people affected by COVID-19. Also, without this data,
government cannot monitor any disproportionate
Accessible information
burden that may fall on disabled people.
Accessibility is a precondition for disabled people to
The Commission understands that out of several
live independently and participate fully and equally
government COVID-19 surveys only one appeared to
in society. The Convention on the Rights of Persons
ask about disability. Also, there is limited disability
with Disabilities requires the government to provide
data on COVID-19 testing.
accessible information on an equal basis with others;
for example, New Zealand Sign Language for deaf
As New Zealand moves into Level 3 and beyond, it is
people and ‘easy read’ for people with a learning
critical that better data are collected to understand
disability. This is especially important in a health
how disabled people are affected. Agencies should
emergency.
liaise with Statistics NZ, Office for Disability Issues
and the Human Rights Commission on how to collect
The Ministry of Health worked quickly with Disabled
robust disaggregated data.
People’s Organisations, and the Human Rights
Commission, to set up a ‘hub’ within government
New Zealand has ratified the UN Convention on the
that helps to streamline the provision of COVID-19
Rights of Persons with Disabilities which requires
information in accessible formats.
the government to provide data disaggregated for
disability. The government’s current failure to provide
However, there have been delays in approval processes
such data is inconsistent with its obligations under the
and uploading accessible formats so that some
Convention.
information has been unavailable when required.
Sometimes accessible formats are hard to locate.
Te Tiriti requires a focus on quality data collection
Accessible information about COVID-19 testing has
and assessment of impacts on Mäori, undertaken in
been a problem. The COVID-19 government website,
partnership with iwi and Mäori organisations. Data
the public’s main information source, does not always
collection and the monitoring of the health and
provide accessible information.
disability system remains critical, in order to ensure
the equitable provision of services to Mäori at all levels
As we move into Level 3, decision makers need to
and that the services are reaching those whänau who
continue to proactively seek the feedback of disabled
need them.
people and their families about access to information.
Decision makers should involve disabled people
early in the drafting and production of materials and
information.
13

Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Family violence - Whakarekereke ā-whare
Police must be given clear direction to respond
appropriately to family violence incidents in Level 3. Low
Everyone has the human right to be free from violence
numbers of family violence arrests suggest Police may
and abuse. Violence against people diminishes their
not be arresting people when necessary. This may be due
enjoyment of other fundamental rights and freedoms.
to COVID-19 social distancing guidance which prevents
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment
candid disclosure of violence. It may be because police
heightening the risk and occurrence of violence
capacity is directed to other COVID-19 priorities.
against women, children, and other vulnerable people.
Older people
Economic insecurity, job losses, overcrowding, loss of
routine, lack of access to usual supports, and poverty-
The impact of COVID-19, and the emergency
related stress all contribute to volatile situations.
response to contain it, has been especially acute
The current situation risks further exacerbating
for older people. Not only do older people face
harms experienced by Mäori whanau who are over-
a disproportionate risk of death as a result of the
represented in violence statistics.
pandemic, many also live in high-risk environments
such as aged care facilities. Of the 19 deaths to date,
Police and social services have reported increased
all have occurred in the 60-70+ age group with five of
family violence since the beginning of Level 4. The
the 16 significant clusters occurring in residential aged
lockdown significantly impacts victims’ ability to
care facilities.
escape abusive partners or call for help. For abusers, it
restricted their physical contact with others who may
Alert Level 4 lockdown measures to protect the
have been able to help calm situations and mitigate
right to health protection and health care created
harmful behaviour.
additional challenges for many older people. These
included: a shortage of caregivers and a reduction in
Disabled people face twice the risk of experiencing
home care services; a lack of access to respite care;
violence compared with non-disabled people. With
the suspension of social and community support
reduced access to supports such as respite, creating
programmes; and an inability to access critical COVID-
conditions of stress, the risks of violence and neglect
related information when it was provided only in
increase. Wrap-around services that respond to the
digital form. Older people are at risk when their daily
needs of disabled people are critically needed in the
lives and support systems are disrupted. Numerous
COVID-19 response.
human rights are implicated, including the rights to
health care, food, an adequate standard of living, and
Rainbow people in households where their identities
accessible information.
are not affirmed or tolerated face the risk of violence.
Emergency housing providers and refuges may lack
Access to secure payment methods to purchase food
gender-diversity policies or options for transgender
during Level 4 lockdown has been a considerable
people and men.
barrier. Many people are not set up for internet
banking and do not have debit or visa cards. The
The allocation of an extra $12 million in funding for
banking industry and other businesses have a
additional refuge accommodation and other support
responsibility to have preparedness plans in place to
services is commendable. In Level 3, funding and
ensure their customers are equipped to meet their
support for those at risk of violence will need to
basic needs during a national emergency.
increase. Funding must be directed to inclusive and
accessible services, both prevention and response.
A successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic
These initiatives should reflect Tiriti partnership,
requires the government to take all effective and
support Mäori-led approaches and advance equitable
reasonable measures to ensure the rights of older
outcomes.
people are protected and that, as far as possible,
older people are empowered to take care of their own
affairs and wellbeing.
14

Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
Women - Te ira wahine
pay inequity by gender and ethnicity, alleviate poverty
for single parent families, value unpaid work and
In the era of COVID-19, women have been
enable flexible work. Human rights will help to lift the
disproportionately impacted by job losses in retail,
economic, social and cultural value of women’s lives
hospitality and tourism. This will lead to a rise in
and work, and advance gender equality.
poverty for women, particularly Mäori, Pacific and
women from ethnic minority groups, who worked in
Collecting demographic data about people receiving
large numbers in those industries.
the wage subsidy will provide better information
for planning and help to advance gender equality in
Some of these issues are also considered in the next
Aotearoa New Zealand. These exercises must include
‘snapshot’.
quality data collection on ethnicity.
Most single parent households are female led. Single
Employment - Whakamahingia
parents have been disproportionately impacted
during the Level 4 lockdown, shouldering a burden of
The government’s decision to move to Alert Level 4
responsibility to care for children, home schooling and
inevitably led to a crisis of employment. As at mid-
carrying out domestic tasks while working from home.
April, the government had paid in excess of $10 billion
to support 1.6 million workers. It had also launched a
Under Level 4, children were initially unable to
$6.25 billion business finance guarantee scheme for
accompany adults to the supermarket, making it more
small and medium-sized businesses to protect jobs
difficult for single parents to obtain food and essential
and support the economy. This is a huge investment
supplies.
and an act of human rights guardianship. Also, the
government has introduced a 6-month rent freeze and
The impact is increased poverty for women, ongoing
3-month protection against terminations.
hardship and stress for single parent families, an
increase in child poverty and an increased burden of
Poverty
unpaid care work for women. For wähine Mäori and
their whänau, the impacts of COVID-19 exacerbate
During Alert Level 4 many people worked on reduced
systemic failures to uphold Te Tiriti.
wages or were made redundant. There have been
allegations of poor redundancy procedures, including
Wage-subsidies that were put in place quickly by the
discrimination. There have also been significant
government have cushioned the economic impact of
increases in poverty and hardship for many people,
large-scale job losses and have kept workers tied to
including working households.
jobs.
The crisis has had a disproportionate effect on those
The government pressed ahead with raising the
who were already living on or below the poverty line,
minimum wage on 1 April despite opposition. This will
with insecure housing and work. Certain industries,
positively impact women who make up the majority of
such as tourism and hospitality, are likely to take
people on the minimum wage.
longer to recover than others. There is a real risk
of prolonged unemployment within regions, and
Impacts on women during the COVID-19 crisis are
for Mäori, Pacific peoples, women, sole parents,
human rights issues. There is an obligation to ensure
disabled people, the rainbow community and migrant
no discrimination based on sex, and a positive duty on
communities.
the government to eliminate discrimination against
women. In addition, there are obligations on business
Many people are moving onto government benefits
to ensure workers’ rights are respected. Applying
for the first time. As unemployment rises, foodbanks
Te Tiriti and human rights to economic and social
have reported a “tsunami of need” with some
policies will reinforce existing initiatives that strive to
people queuing for four hours. In the first week of
revalue low paid “essential” occupations, eliminate
Level-4 lockdown, the number of Ministry of Social
15

Human Rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi: COVID-19 and Alert Level 4 in Aotearoa New Zealand
Development (MSD) food grants increased from around
right to fair and just working conditions, including safe
25,000 a week to 70,000.
and healthy working conditions, and fair wages which
provide a decent standard of living for families.
MSD is encouraging those who are struggling
financially to contact them, but there continue to be
Successive governments have adopted and affirmed
major difficulties reaching MSD staff to discuss needs.
these human rights. In addition, there are obligations
The food grants are only in the form of a one-off
on business to ensure the human rights of workers are
emergency grant, rather than ongoing support.
respected.
The allocation by the government of an additional $30
Existing employment and income inequities for
million support package to bolster the delivery of food
Mäori are likely to be exacerbated by the crisis,
and welfare assistance is very welcome. Further steps
making it even more critical that responses are firmly
need to be taken to ensure this assistance is accessible
grounded in Te Tiriti. There is high Mäori participation
in a timely manner to all of those who need it.
in significantly affected industries (e.g. primary
industries), and in insecure and low-paid work. Mäori
Housing
have been proactive in providing support to whänau,
businesses and communities, and in developing
Before the pandemic, the level of homelessness
tikanga- and mätauranga-based responses to the
already far outstripped the level of available
economic impacts of the pandemic.
assistance. Housing is one of the most significant living
costs, particularly for those living in poverty. In January
In Level 3 and beyond, a Tiriti and human rights
this year, the number people on the social housing
approach can help the government devise and
waiting list was over 14,000. One in four households
deliver robust, equitable, effective economic policies.
already spend 40% or more of their household income
This can help to ensure a commitment to good
on rent and housing costs. Since the pandemic, the
faith in employment relations, equal employment
government’s rent freeze and other tenancy changes
opportunities, collective bargaining and fair pay
stop a landlord from increasing rent and limit the
agreements, flexible work, and enhanced diversity in
options for termination. However, landlords can still
the workplace.
terminate a tenancy if a tenant falls 60 days behind in
rent. For those who have lost all income as a result of
Economic recovery efforts provide opportunities to
redundancy, business closure or downturn in hours,
embed Te Tiriti and human rights into government
paying rent is likely to be a struggle. Long term rent
responses and to work in partnership with iwi and
caps and further assistance measures will need to be
Mäori. Any fast-tracked development projects must
considered.
uphold indigenous rights to lands and resources, in line
with Te Tiriti and the human rights obligation of free,
Reflecting on employment, poverty, housing
prior and informed consent.
These employment, poverty and housing issues arising
from the COVID-19 response implicate numerous
human rights. For example, the right to work, the right
to adequate food, the right to adequate housing, the
16

Mötika Tangata më Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Mate Korona më te Noho Rähui i Aotearoa Taumata 4
Conclusion -
Kōrero whakamutunga
The Foreword acknowledges the government’s
Independent accountability
commendable response to COVID-19 and the human
At a time of crisis, there is often an accountability
rights ‘snapshots’ confirm there are some significant
deficit. Parliament adjourns and some courts close their
shortcomings.
doors precisely when those in authority are granted
sweeping new discretionary powers.
Put human rights on the table
Human rights do not provide magic solutions to grave
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the media deserve enormous
crises, but they have a constructive contribution to
credit for holding government to account during Level
make as the country navigates these dangerous times.
4. The Epidemic Response Committee, chaired by Simon
They embody values – the importance of safety, dignity,
Bridges, Leader of the Opposition, has also done a good
decency, fairness, freedom, equality, respect, wellbeing,
job in a very difficult situation.
community and responsibility – which provide a
compass for the way forward.
Within government, interagency groups recognised the
need to ensure discretionary powers were not abused
In today’s world, human rights are also increasingly
and fair balances were reasonably struck. But care is
practical and operational. They can help to both chart
needed. Those exercising the discretionary powers
and implement an effective, equitable, balanced,
cannot hold themselves accountable. The Auditor-
sustainable medium and long-term response to
General recently emphasised that public accountability
COVID-19.
is a cornerstone of our system of government. Nimble
constructive effective independent accountability
But this can only happen if human rights are on the
mechanisms have a major role to play in Level 3 and
table. One of the striking features of the government’s
beyond.
response to COVID-19 is the almost total silence about
human rights. Yet explicit consideration of human
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
rights could have prevented some of the shortcomings
The government’s National Plan of Action for
identified in this brief report. They help to strike fair
COVID-19 begins by confirming that the government’s
balances and identify proportionate responses. At a time
commitment to working in partnership with Mäori
of crisis there is a heightened risk that mistakes will be
is a key component of its national response to the
made. Explicit attention to human rights can help to
pandemic. In Level 3 and the recovery phase, we
prevent mistakes, but not if they are absent from crisis
urge the government to renew and reinvigorate
management, decision-making and policy processes.
this commitment and jointly devise and implement
During Alert Level 4, government sometimes talked
strategies to address COVID-19, in keeping with the
about “a principles-based approach”, but human rights,
country’s constitutional foundation.
agreed by successive governments and steeped in
universally accepted principles, did not appear to be an
explicit part of the discussion.
17