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New research on Pasifika protective factors
New research by Yvonne Crichton-Hill and Julia Ioane looks at Pasifika Protective Factors for Family Violence in Aotearoa New Zealand (2023). The research looked at what contributes to family violence, what protects against family violence, what mitigates the impacts of family violence and how to support healing from family violence for Pasifika peoples. In each of these areas, the research highlights the importance of Pasifika cultural frameworks and understanding the diversity within ethnic-specific island communities.
The researchers used a talanoa approach of dialogue and shared conversations to gather insight from 44 community and faith leaders, practitioners, researchers, and academics from the Pasifika community. The report shares quotes from the talanoa. The researchers also drew on a literature review.
The research identifies a range of factors that contribute to violence such as beliefs about gender roles and child discipline, and individual factors such as cultural disconnection. The researchers also discuss the complex and many systemic factors including socio-economic factors, unemployment, colonisation, immigration, and the environment that contribute to family violence, writing:
"Participants highlighted that Pasifika families and communities have often been impacted by negative experiences arising from immigration and colonisation. Participants talked about Pasifika families’ experiences of systemic and institutional bias in Aotearoa New Zealand alongside the challenge of adjusting to a new culture. This is not to say that cultural obligations contribute to family violence, rather it was the barriers that limited their ability to fulfil their cultural obligations that created stress and disharmony within family dynamics."
Participants also highlighted that Pasifika families and communities protect themselves from family violence through education, skills and social support from family and the church. Investment in education was called for, specifically noting:
"Education to grow financial literacy, develop workforce pathways, build knowledge about family violence, and enhance ethnic-specific Pasifika cultural knowledge was viewed as an essential component to protecting Pasifika families."
To mitigate the impact of family violence, the research identified the need for skilled family or community mediators, formal support that uses Pasifika cultural frameworks, cultural processes such as talanoa, and culturally-aligned knowledge and resourcing to know about and understand family violence.
The research also identified ethnic specific Pasifika cultural processes, empowerment of Pasifika people and systemic factors that support healing from family violence. The researchers discussed how principles of practice were identified by participants to empower Pasifika peoples including:
"valuing victim and perpetrator stories, recognising that healing takes time, adopting a holistic approach to work with families, using Pasifika-informed models, suspending judgement, and making sure that the aim is always to maintain family relationships."
Systemic factors to support healing focused on the capability of the family violence system with an emphasis on a system that incorporates Pasifika cultural processes and that "Time is needed to give effect to Pasifika principles of practice; participants suggested that the family violence system should be geared towards supporting existing and sustainable partnerships with Pasifika families and community."
The report concludes with 12 recommendations in education, prevention and intervention. The research was contracted by the Ministry of Social Development (Pasefika Proud). For more information see the Pasefika Proud news story.
For related information see our Issues Paper 16: Pacific perspectives on family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand (2020) by Fuafiva Fa'alau and Sharyn Wilson. Also search our online library with the quick topic search Pasifika.
National Pacific Practitioners’ Fono
A 2-day Fono was held in Auckland in July for non-government organisations and community practitioners working in family and sexual violence. The event was organised by practitioners for practitioners in partnership with Te Puna Aonui. The purpose of the Fono was to bring together Pacific practitioners to talanoa and connect, strengthen and enable their work in family and sexual violence, build regional communities of practice and support, and connect to Te Aorerekura Strategy shifts and action points. Pasefika Proud has shared summaries, highlights and resources from the many speakers at the event. Te Puna Aonui July 2023 e-update said the next steps after the Fono will include strengthening regional connectivity and that a monthly online forum for practitioners will continue on the third Thursday of each month. For more information, contact relationships@tepunaaonui.govt.nz.
Update: The Ministry of Social Development August 2023 Family Violence and Sexual Violence update included a summary of the National Pacific Practitioner's Fono. The update noted that a National Project coordinator role has been established to help coordinate and manage operations of the Pacific Practitioners Forum including building and maintaining membership and regular communications. For more information contact the National coordinators at pasifikalead@toah-nnest.org.nz and pasifikasupport@toah-nnest.org.nz.
Update: Find out about the next steps following the National Pacific Practitioner's Fono and sign up for updates from the forum.
Related news
Pacific community Champions of Change
Pasefika Proud recently highlighted some of the Pacific community led work to address family violence. In 2022, community training was offered to support communities to take action to address family violence using their own ethnic specific cultural framework from Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu. Champion of Change groups have been working towards actions that are by and for their communities. Follow the latest updates from the Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu Facebook page.
Related research
Associate Professor Julia Ioane also recently published new research about the views of Pasifika young people in the justice system and their parents/caregivers, about young people's mental health and wellbeing and the links with culture, family and spirituality, and their offending behaviour. The research used a Pasifika approach to interview young people and their parents/caregivers several times over 3 years, along with questionnaires. The report highlights the importance of relationships and cultural identities for young people.
Read the full report You've just got to think about your family and what type of person you want to be: Listening to young Pasifika people in the youth justice system and their families (2023). For more information see the Massey University news article Stay in school! New research hears from Pacific youth going through the justice system or listen to an interview with Julia Iaone on Radio 531pi. Julia Ioane did a second interview with Radio 531pi about the research.
Le Va published the report Pasifika Peoples Perceptions of Health and Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand (2022). The report summarises findings from a project to better understand the current and future health and wellbeing needs of Pasifika people. Feedback was gathered from 895 Pasifika people through workshops or a survey. The report explores 6 key insights from the feedback:
- Mental health is the biggest area of concern for Pasifika people
- Family is key to wellbeing but also complex
- Income, housing and privilege have a major impact on Pasifika wellbeing
- Many Pasifika people feel like the health system can be doing more to meet their needs
- Pasifika people want diverse options and choice
- Stigma and discrimination affect Pasifika wellbeing.
Launch and malaga of Vaka of Stories to remember Dawn Raids
The Vaka of Stories launched in July 2023 in Auckland. The Vaka of Stories aims to bring Pacific communities together in a safe space to share Dawn Raids experiences. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples received government funding to coordinate the Vaka of Stories as a community-facilitated historical account of the Dawn Raids. A ‘Vaka’ will travel around Aotearoa New Zealand to collect stories and experiences of the Dawn Raids from communities. The stories will be collated into a historical report. See the Ministry for Pacific Peoples for dates and locations of Malaga stops throughout the country where people can share their story.
Related media
Pasifika community workers honoured for 'wrapping the village around families', 531pi, 16.11.2023
Fathers Fono - The importance of culture within our families, Pacific Media Network, 06.11.2023
Pasifika rates in care raise bias concerns, Otago Daily Times, 28.09.2023 (see the research article Child protection inequalities for Pasifika children in Aotearoa New Zealand: diverse realities)
Central Auckland’s new Tongan cafe, reviewed, The Spinoff, 20.08.2023
Island Roots Auckland Ways: A new podcast with a fresh young Pacific focus, NZ Herald, 14.08.2023
Interview with Josiah Tualamali’i, Radio 531pi, 27.07.2023
Taking steps to enable Ōtautahi Pasifika Community, Oranga Tamariki news, 13.07.2023
Public feedback invited on Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation
The Integrity in Sport and Recreation Establishment Board is running a public survey to get feedback to help develop the Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation.
The survey closes on 10 August 2023.
The Code will help people involved in sport and recreation to have safe and fair experiences. It will set standards for sport and recreation organisations on what ‘good’ looks like. The survey is asking for feedback on experiences while taking part in sport and recreation and what needs to be included in the Code.
The FAQ says the purpose of the code is:
"The Code will provide a set of integrity standards for the sport and recreation sector. We expect that, at a minimum, it will be participant-centric and focussed on harm prevention. It is intended to ensure that, overall, we have improved integrity outcomes across the sector.
The development of the Code will be informed by people who work, volunteer and participate in sport and recreation and wider consultation with the public. We are also engaging specifically with Māori to ensure that the Code is responsive to the rights and interest of Māori, and te Tiriti o Waitangi.
After all the feedback is received, the Code will be drafted and may include the likes of safeguarding and protection of participants and human rights."
According to the survey information, organisations will not be required to sign up to the code. If an organisation does sign up to the code, organisations will be supported to meet the standards in the Code.
You can complete the survey online in English or Te Reo Māori by 10 August 2023 or sign up to participate in a focus group by 4 August 2023. For questions email enquiries@integritytransition.org.nz.
For more information see the overview of work done to improve the Integrity System in sport and recreation. Also see the recording of a March 2023 webinar on the work and plans to develop a national code of integrity.
Update: Parliament passed the Integrity Sport and Recreation Bill on 16 August 2023. The legislation sets out how the Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission will operate and confirms it will be operational in 2024.
Related news
RNZ interviewed Holly Thorpe, Professor in Sociology of Sport and Gender at Waikato University, and Sports and Exercise Physician Sarah Beable about ongoing issues with inappropriate behaviour and misconduct in sport and recreation affecting women in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Holly Thorpe and Kirsty Forsdike, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Sport & Social Impact at La Trobe University, have called for urgent action to address the systemic gendered abuse across New Zealand’s sport system. Their article was prompted by Athletics New Zealand's decision to ban national pole vault coach Jeremy McColl for 10 years for serious misconduct that took place over years with women athletes including harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
Journalist Dana Johannsen has written an op-ed highlighting cases where investigations by Athletics New Zealand into inappropriate behaviour has been inadequate.
See our library for research and information about sport and family and sexual violence including prevention.
Update: A 2024 review of qualitative studies of women's experiences of gender-based violence in sport found rates of interpersonal violence range from 26% to 74% across psychological, physical, and sexual violence. See the full article Women’s Experiences of Gender-Based Interpersonal Violence in Sport: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis (2024) and a summary of the finding in the Conversation article From forced kisses to power imbalances, violence against women in sport is endemic.
Update: UN Women and UNESCO published the Tackling violence against women and girls in sport: A handbook for policy makers and sports practitioners (2023).
Update: Reseachers in Australia published findings from research that looked at children's disclosures of violence in community sport. Of those who had experienced interpersonal violence in community sport as a child, only 46% ever disclosed any these experiences to any adult. Read the full article, Telling adults about it: children’s experience of disclosing interpersonal violence in community sport (2023).
In December 2022 Sport NZ released Guiding principles for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. The guidelines are designed to help sporting and other organisations be more inclusive and supportive of transgender people. Sport NZ states "An inclusive approach allows transgender individuals to take part in their self-determined gender and not the sex they were assigned at birth. It does not ask people to prove or otherwise justify their gender, sex or gender identity."
In article for The Conversation Holly Thorpe highlighted:
"At their core is the principle of inclusion, based on wellbeing and safety, privacy and dignity, and removing discrimination, bullying and harassment.
By gaining confidence through this process, it’s hoped sports organisations will recognise that making sport safer and more inclusive is ultimately beneficial for all. The question now, however, is whether change at the grassroots level can filter up to elite sports, which are most often governed and directed by policies set by international bodies."
Update: In October 2023 UN experts issued a policy position urging States and other stakeholders to respect the right of all to participate in cultural life through sports and games and to tackle discrimination against, and enforcement of equal treatment of all athletes, especially women and girls in all their diversity, LGBT and intersex persons.
Related media
Marlborough coach pleads guilty to sexual offending against several girls, RNZ, 18.12.2023
Marlborough sports coach faces 35 sex abuse charges as more added, Stuff, 05.12.2023
Ten more young women complained about guilty sportsman, The Post, 07.08.2023
Sportsman discharged without conviction for sexual offence, Otago Daily Times, 03.08.2023
Olympic gold medallist Alan Thompson loses battle over 'sexualised remarks', Stuff, 31.07.2023
Sports integrity officials start work on new rulebook for sport, Stuff, 17.07.2023
Disgraced Athletics NZ coach banned for 10 years, RNZ, 04.07.2023
Trusted sports coach sentenced for 27 years of sexual abuse against 11 boys, Stuff, 01.02.2023
What Sport NZ's announcement means for transgender athletes, Stuff, 07.12.2022
New sports integrity body to be established in the wake of Olivia Podmore tragedy, Stuff, 18.05.2022
"It's had a profound impact": Sport's plan to address athlete welfare crisis, Stuff, 21.07.2022
New sports integrity body to be established in the wake of Olivia Podmore tragedy, Stuff, 18.05.2022
2023 He Pounga Waihoe nā ō Mātua Symposium
Te Atawhai o Te Ao is hosting the 2023 He pounga waihoe nā ō mātua symposium on 18 August 2023 at Pūtiki Pā in Whanganui. It is a symposium of Māori experiences of intergenerational trauma, recovery and healing.
Key note presenters are Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Dr. Rāwiri Tinirau. The symposium will feature presentations from Māori Master’s and Doctoral students, community researchers, whānau, hapū, iwi, service providers and others who are interested in Māori experiences of intergenerational trauma and healing.
Registrations for the symposium are open. The event is in person and will not be online. There is no cost for the event, but spaces are limited.
He pounga waihoe nā ō mātua is the new research programme at Te Atawhai o Te Ao, who writes that:
"‘He pounga waihoe nā ō mātua’, translates to the water which is displaced by the paddle of our ancestors. It acknowledges that the decisions of our ancestors to create a forward motion, require consistent effort that ripple and impact all aspects of life. More importantly, the work we do now, impacts our whānau now and into the future. The new programme recognises that in order for action to be initiated and momentum to be maintained that advances whānau health and well-being, we need to draw on our traditional knowledge as we navigate through unchartered waters."
The new programme proposes five overall research projects, based on Whanganui whakataukī that align with Te Atawhai o Te Ao research priorities for the next seven years:
- Wairua: Spiritual nourishment and reciprocity.
- Waiata: Cultural recovery and prosperity.
- Waiora: Environmental well-being and enhancement.
- Waimāori: Social resilience and identity.
- Waipuna: Physical health and body sovereignty.
Te Atawhai o Te Ao is an independent Māori research institute for environment and health. Learn more about the Kaupapa of Te Atawhai o Te Ao.
Whakapapa research
Te Atawhai o Te Ao is coordinating a series of publications from 8 Whānau researchers on Whakapapa research. Several publications are planned within each topic area. The topic areas include:
- Aspirational letter to future generations
- Deoxyri- bonucleic Acid (DNA) and whakapapa
- Kai
- Matriarch
- Research methodology and methods
- Taonga
- Whānau event
- Whāngai
- Whenua
The Whānau researchers are Miriama Cribb, Grant Huwyler, Tania Kara, Raukura Roa, Kaapua Smith, Rachael Tinirau, Hayden Tūroa and Raymond Tuuta.
There are many other resources available from Te Atawhai o Te Ao including digital stories and publications such as
- Transmission of mātauranga Māori: Customary forms of taonga tuku iho from a Ngāti Tarawhai and Ngāti Pikiao uri perspective (2021)
- What is whānau research, and how is whānau research being conducted? (2020)
- What is whānau research in the context of marae/ hapū-based archives? A literature review for the Whakamanu Research Project (2020)
- Rangatiratanga: Narratives of Racism, Resistance, and Well-being (2021) and much more.
Also see the collaborative projects of Te Atawhai o Te Ao that address Māori cultural approaches to violence prevention and intervention, historical trauma and health outcomes, and impact of sexual violence on Māori.
Related news
The new book, Ora: Healing Ourselves - Indigenous Knowledge, Healing and Wellbeing (2023), is a collection of writings from Indigenous thinkers and practitioners from Aotearoa and internationally. They look at the effects of trauma on Indigenous peoples across social, economic, political and cultural environments. The first part focuses on research findings from He Oranga Ngākau: Māori Approaches to Trauma Informed Care. It discusses tikanga Māori concepts, decolonising approaches and navigating mauri ora. The second part explores Indigenous models of healing, with a focus on connections to land and the environment, whakapapa connections and Indigenous approaches for wellbeing. The book is co-edited by Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Leonie Pihama, who co-authored several chapters. RNZ interviewed Linda and Leonie about the book.
The new book, Honouring Our Ancestors: Takatāpui, Two-Spirit and Inidgenous LGTBQI+ Well-being (2023), is a collection from authors from Aotearoa and Turtle Island (Canada and the United States of America) that explores the well-being of takatāpui, two-spirit, and Māori and Indigenous LGTBQI+ communities. The book was inspired by 2 research projects: the HONOR Project, which looked at well-being in American Indian and Alaskan Native two-spirit communities, and the Honour Project Aotearoa, which looked at Kaupapa Māori strengths-based understandings of the health and well-being of takatāpui and Māori LGBTQI+ communities. The book was co-edited by Alison Green and Leonie Pihama.
Linda Tuhiwai Smith published a series of illustrated books for tamariki. The books explore a range of issues to help tamariki understand and process trauma. The books cover topics including domestic violence, child abuse, suicide of a sibling, death of a baby and a mother’s long term illness. The books are available from the publisher, Huia Publishers. Waatea News interviewed Linda about the books.
Related media
Book takes aim at Takatāpui oppression, Waatea News, 26.07.2023
Parenting the te ao Māori way | The Project NZ, Newshub, 18.07.2023
How trauma affects children and how to talk about it, RNZ, 11.05.2023
Auditor-General review of NZDF Operation Respect
The Auditor-General has called for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) "...to act with urgency to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all its personnel" based on the Office of the Auditor-General's (OAG) first review of Operation Respect.
To set a baseline for regular monitoring the OAG invited all NZDF personnel to complete a survey about unwanted sexual activity and inappropriate sexual behaviour. Unwanted sexual activity is the behaviours that fall within the category of sexual assault and inappropriate sexual behaviour covers a range of behaviours outside of sexual assault, including mistreatment based on gender or sexuality and sexually suggestive jokes or comments. Of the more than 6673 NZDF personnel who completed the survey, 1.3% had experienced unwanted sexual activity in the last 12 months with women (3.1%) more likely to experience this behaviour than men (0.6%). Junior uniformed women experienced high rates of inappropriate and harmful behaviour:
- 7.2% had experienced unwanted sexual activity (including sexual assault) in the previous 12 months
- 24.6% had experienced some form of inappropriate sexual behaviour
- 19% experienced bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
In response to these findings, Auditor-General John Ryan writes in the performance audit report that these are serious matters and:
"... NZDF needs to act with some urgency. There are no easy fixes and change will take both time and sustained effort. It requires a shared understanding of the problem and a clearly defined and shared view of the future that Operation Respect is trying to bring about."
The OAG found that the NZDF moved quickly to respond to the recommendations of the previous 2020 independent review of Operation Respect. However, the NZDF approach has not been driven by clearly stated and shared goals or underpinned by a clear and well-considered strategy.
The Auditor-General writes in the performance audit report that "It is essential that senior leaders play a strong and visible role in setting the vision and direction for Operation Respect and that more robust ways to hold all leaders accountable are established." He also notes that "Work is under way to create a new Operation Respect organisational strategy and plan. NZDF intends to strengthen governance and management structures to better enable the Operation Respect work to be driven and co-ordinated." The OAG made 11 recommendations for the NZDF.
The OAG published 2 reports from this first review:
New Zealand Defence Force: Resetting efforts to reduce harmful behaviour (2023) summarises findings of the performance audit which looked at how well the NZDF has reset Operation Respect and whether it has been designed and set up effectively to achieve its aims. This report also outlines the 11 recommendations for NZDF.
A safe and respectful New Zealand Defence Force: First monitoring report (2023) sets a baseline for measuring the impact of Operation Respect. This report includes more detailed findings from the survey of NZDF personnel and findings from interviews with 126 NZDF personnel.
Operation Respect is the NZDF culture change strategy developed in 2016 in response to a number of reviews that found harassment, bullying and discrimination including sexual harassment and sexual assault in the NZDF. In 2020 an independent review of Operation Respect found significant barriers to progress. The review made 44 recommendations including a recommendation for the OAG to independently monitor Operation Respect’s progress over the next 20 years. This is the OAG's first review of Operation Respect. For more information see our related news stories below.
Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report
The Independent Police Conduct Authority released a report finding that "Police failed adequately to respond to multiple allegations over a 15-year period that a Police Medical Officer sexually assaulted Police recruits." The IPCA completed an independent investigation after they received 2 complaints about how Police had handled concerns about a doctor contracted as a Police Medical Officer from 1999 to 2016. Of the 52 recruits the IPCA contacted, 14 males and females raised concerns. At least 5 recruits said they had raised concerns with people in Police following their medical exams, but nothing was done.
Chair of the Authority at the time of the investigation, Judge Colin Doherty said:
“Police not only failed to investigate these serious allegations when they were first raised, but they also failed to meet their obligation as an employer to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their staff. It is unacceptable that Police continued to contract the doctor for medicals up until 2016 without investigating or even questioning the alleged conduct, when several recruits had raised concerns about his behaviour over a period of about 15 years.”
The IPCA report, Police failed to respond to alleged sexual assaults against recruits (2023), outlines when Police became aware of the allegations and the Police response. The report states:
"36. We find it unacceptable that Police continued to contract Dr Z for medicals up until 2016, when several recruits had raised concerns about his behaviour over a period of about 15 years. The lack of a formal investigation into any of the concerns resulted in later recruits potentially being put at risk.
37. We acknowledge that none of the recruits made a formal complaint during this time. However, Police did not effectively respond to the recruits who did raise concerns and did not support them to formally complain.
38. It is understandable that recruits were reluctant to complain about Dr Z, given that Police had sent them to him, and they were seeking employment with Police. Some recruits thought Dr Z was only doing what was required during a Police medical, and it was not until they later became aware of other recruits’ concerns that they considered they should raise potential issues regarding their own medicals."
NZ Police Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura responded to the IPCA report saying:
"The shortcomings in the response are particularly saddening when we reflect on our values as an organisation. Respect is one of our key values and it drives a standard we set for ourselves to treat others as we would want to be treated.
"We want our staff to know their safety and wellness is of great importance, and Police has taken steps to ensure this does not happen again, and to ensure complaints are properly investigated, and managed."
Recently, media outlet Stuff reported that Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has said he has initiated a review of the Police Code of Conduct. The review is in response to a case where a Police officer was found to have breached the Police code of conduct for making inappropriate, sexually explicit comments to a colleague, but returned to work with the colleague. According to the Stuff article, the review would include consideration of whether offensive sexually explicit or suggestive language is grounds for serious misconduct.
Update: NZ Herald has shared further information about the review of the Police code of conduct requested by Commissioner Andrew Coster.
Update: Stuff reported an update on the review in their July 2024 article Police sexual harassment policies overhauled after Stuff investigation.
In 2017, NZ Police and the Office of the Auditor-General published their final reports on the review and monitoring following the 2004 Inquiry into the way Police dealt with allegations of sexual assault by police officers and their associates. At the time, both reports acknowledged that while progress had been made, further work was needed.
Related media
Ōhakea personnel reprimanded for inappropriate behaviour, Stuff, 01.08.2024
Corrections calls in EY to review sexual harassment processes, Stuff, 07.04.024
Top cop remains coy over review into workplace sexual harassment, Stuff, 27.12.2023
Defence Force reinforces sexual assault team after ‘serious’ staff audit, Newsroom, 11.12.2023
Strip club visit, sexual assault complaints exposed in army inquiry, NZ Herald, 19.11.2023
Ex cop's social media pages an ongoing embarrassment for police, One News, 09.11.2023
NZDF apologises for handling of assault complaint, Otago Daily Times, 13.08.2023
Flight commander jailed for indecently assaulting subordinate, Stuff, 28.07.2023
Defence Force leaders hope high attrition doesn’t cause more sexual assaults, NZ Herald, 08.06.2023
Junior Defence Force women still face inappropriate sexual behaviour: report, RNZ, 17.05.2023
Supreme Court dismisses woman's bid to sue abuser, NZ Defence Force, RNZ, 12.05.2023
Abused airwoman Mariya Taylor loses Supreme Court fight for compensation, Stuff, 12.05.2023
Supreme Court rules on long-running NZDF abuse claims, One News, 12.05.2023
How the police watchdog is more secretive than the spy agency, RNZ, 30.03.2022
Feedback invited on draft report to UN on human rights
The Government has prepared the draft national report on Aotearoa New Zealand's 4th Universal Periodic Review of human rights for the United Nations (UN). The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a review by the UN Human Rights Council that looks at New Zealand’s progress on human rights issues every 5 years. This is the 4th review for New Zealand.
Feedback on the draft report is due by 30 July 2023. You can also give feedback on human rights issues in New Zealand directly to the UN. Feedback to the UN is due by 11 October 2023.
The draft report covers the following areas:
- Racism and discrimination
- Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (including trafficking and slavery)
- Climate change
- Right to Adequate Standard of Living, including Housing
- Administration of Justice, including Criminal Justice System
- Indigenous Rights (including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)
- Rights of Women (including family violence and sexual violence)
- Rights of children (including care and protection, state abuse, inequities and more)
- Rainbow rights
- Disability rights
- Health
- Education.
Family violence and sexual violence are specifically discussed under Rights of Women (pages 17-18 in the draft report). Many other areas are related, including Rights of children (pages 18-21).
New Zealand's 3rd review was in 2019. The UN Human Rights Council made a total of 194 recommendations in the 3rd review and more than 30 of those related to violence. The Government accepted 160 of the 194 recommendations.
After getting feedback, the Government will submit the final report to the UN Human Rights Council by February 2024.
The Council will review the Government's final report along with submissions from stakeholders including non-government agencies and Te Kāhui Tika Tangata New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
How to give feedback
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere is asking for feedback on the draft report. You can submit feedback to the Government on their draft report by email to UPR2024@mfat.govt.nz. Feedback on the draft report is due by 30 July 2023.
You can also give feedback on human rights issues in New Zealand directly to the UN. Feedback to the UN is due by 11 October 2023. For more information on how to give feedback directly to the UN, see the UN Human Rights Council webpage on 4th UPR cycle: contributions and participation of "other stakeholders" in the UPR.
Peace Movement Aotearoa also provides updates related to non-government organisations.
Update: Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has information for communities and civil society organisations to give feedback to the United Nations on Aotearoa New Zealand's human rights record through the Universal Periodic Review.
Related news
The Government submitted the 9th periodic report on the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. You can read the final report on the Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women website.
In July 2023, the UN Committee Against Torture is assessing the Government's progress implementing the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The review will consider New Zealand’s compliance with the Convention over the past eight years. Peace Movement Aotearoa highlighted that the UN Committee will also consider information provided by non-government organisations which raised concerns about issues related to the criminal justice system, conditions in places of detention, abuse of children in state care and more. See related media below for concerns raised by the UN Committee and Aotearoa New Zealand advocates.
In April 2023 Claire Charters, Rongomau Taketake at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission, highlighted that work on the national plan to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) has stalled. She said:
"Until it was paused, the process of developing the plan was commendable. It reflected equal governance authority of tangata whenua bodies and the Crown, as premised in te Tiriti o Waitangi and in international law.
“Māori communities we engaged with were clear on what they wanted to see in a plan.
“Actions to strengthen tino rangatiratanga, enact honourable Tiriti partnership, advance equity, and eliminate racism were strong and consistent messages. It was also clear from what we heard, that many whānau aren’t currently able to enjoy their fundamental rights.
“Yet we’re in a state of limbo. Progress on Indigenous rights should not be subject to the political mood of the government of the day.”
In April 2022, Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson said the Government had completed the first stage of the engagement process to develop a plan for UNDRIP and that drafting of the plan would start in partnership with the National Iwi Chairs Forum’s Pou Tikanga and Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission. In December 2022, Amnesty International reported that Cabinet agreed to the Government putting on hold the work to develop a plan to implement UNDRIP. For more information see Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.
In February 2023, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission released 2 reports addressing racism and calling on Government to take action. Maranga Mai! (2023) shines a light on the dynamics and impacts of colonisation, racism and white supremacy on tangata whenua. Ki te whaiao, ki te ao Mārama (2023) reports on the themes and ideas from community engagement to inform the development of a National Action Plan Against Racism.
Related media
Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan, Beehive media release, 30.04.2024
Tina Ngata: Why we walked away, E-Tangata, 07.04.2024
Tiriti vulnerable, commission tells UN, Waatea News, 14.02.2024
Sliding backwards on human rights, RNZ, 11.12.2023
Let's Go There Together campaign presents urgent human rights 'must-do' list, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission media release, 08.12.2023 (also see the Let's Go There campaign)
Government botches response to Lake Alice torture finding, Newsroom, 06.09.2023
Corrections slammed for Arohata prison purge, Waatea News, 24.08.2023
UN Calls Out New Zealand’s Youth Justice Record, Press Release: Mana Mokopuna, Scoop, 01.08.2023
Government wants to give police power to convict 12-year-old ram raiders, The Post, 20.07.2023
Recognising tino rangatiratanga key to ending racism in Aotearoa, NZ Herald, 03.02.2023
New resource guide from Backbone Collective
The Backbone Collective has published a new resource, Reducing risk and harm when going to Family Court: An Information Guide for Victim-Survivors (2023).
The guide provides information for victim-survivors of family and sexual violence. It has information about the resources available to help reduce risk of physical, emotional and psychological harm when going to the New Zealand Family Court. It also has information related to interpreters and accessibility.
The guide pulls together a range of tips, advice and information into one place. Backbone compiled this from:
- relevant legislation
- interviews with people who work at Family Court
- support and resources from online resources like the Law Manual from Community Law and specialist organisation resources for managing trauma responses
- insights, experiences and feedback from victim-survivors.
In 2017, Backbone Collective surveyed 496 women victim-survivors about their experiences of the New Zealand Family Court. 58% of the survey participants said they had been threatened, intimidated, or physically assaulted by their abuser while attending court-related appointments or hearings. For more information, see the survey report Out of the frying pan and into the fire: Women’s experiences of the New Zealand Family Court (2017).
Download the guide or see the black and white print-friendly version.
Update: In August 2023, the Ministry of Justice updated information for families and whānau on their website related to Family court including about Family Court, family violence and care of children.
Related news
The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, Reem Alsalem, published her report on Custody, violence against women and violence against children (A/HRC/53/36). The report examines gender bias in family court systems globally including parental alienation. The UN Rapporteur's media statement highlights:
"Alsalem’s report underlines that the use of the unfounded and unscientific concept of parental alienation is highly gendered. While it is invoked against both fathers and mothers, it is predominantly used against mothers. The consequences of biased custody decisions can be detrimental and irreversible to those concerned leading to a continuum of violence before and after separation, the expert said. Despite these grave consequences “parental alienation’ and related pseudo-concepts are embedded and endorsed in legal systems across jurisdictions, including amongst evaluators tasked with reporting to family courts on the best interest of the child."
She spoke about the report at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (see the first 10 minutes of the recording). The UN Rapporteur called for submissions to inform this report. Some Aotearoa New Zealand organisations have made their submissions public including the Backbone Collective and the Family Violence Death Review Committee.
The National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges published the brief article, Rethinking ‘risk’: using risk assessment data in family violence and safety work. It summarises findings from a review of their new risk assessment tool. The data draws on the first 500 risk assessments completed when women accessed Women’s Refuge. Findings highlight the types, intensity and severity of risks experienced by women.
The Ministry of Justice published the final report from the review of restorative justice in July 2023. The review looked at how the restorative justice system is working and what could be improved. The Restorative Justice Review: Findings report outlines 10 recommendations including reviewing the practice standards for family violence restorative justice cases and improving training for restorative justice facilitators related to family violence.
Government has proactively released the Cabinet paper and minute related to the Budget 2022 initiative on a cross-sector strategy and operating model for improving outcomes for victims of Crime. See the Proactive release – Better Outcomes for Victims: Work Programme.
The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill passed parliament and received Royal Assent in June 2023. The bill establishes a new role known as a Family Court Associate who will handle a mix of judicial and registrar tasks. Justice Minister Kiri Allen's media release notes "Matters that are more complex or have a significant impact on human rights will still be completed by judges, for example, most matters under the Family Violence Act and final decisions on the care of children under the Care of Children Act."
MP Angie Warren-Clark member's bill, Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill, was pulled from the biscuit tin in May 2023 and is being considered by Parliament.
Published in November 2022, a series of short briefs highlight findings from research on relationship property division in New Zealand by legal academics Megan Gollop and Nicola Taylor. Several of the briefs include consideration of family violence, specifically The Challenges and Impact of Relationship Property Division.
In December 2022, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia launched Lighthouse after a successful pilot. Lighthouse is designed to identify family safety risks related to family violence as early as possible and support case management decisions that are risk-informed. Australia’s federal parliament is also considering reforms to family law.
Related media
Bar too high for urgent protection orders - family court lawyer, RNZ, 16.01.2024
Woman vindicated after High Court rules Family Court judge acted unfairly, RNZ, 06.12.2023
Family Court Judge in 'Mrs P' hearing acted unfairly - High Court, Stuff, 06.12.2023
Growing number of people representing themselves in civil cases, RNZ, 21.09.2023
Divorce law amendment bill hearing a ‘momentous occasion’ for survivor, The Press, 31.08.2023
Family Court is an unsafe space for victims of family violence, Newsroom, 26.08.2023
Government delivers changes for fairer access to legal assistance, Beehive media release, 24.08.2023
Justice Minister discusses major delays in court system, RNZ, 10.08.2023
Legal aid shortfalls leave people forced to represent themselves in court, RNZ, 07.08.2023
Self-representation on the rise in family court, RNZ, 07.08.2023
Family Court open day provides key knowledge, SunLive, 13.07.2023
Court system delays continue to create backlogs, NZ Herald, 12.07.2023
There may be unintended consequences following the litigation abuse law change, Stuff, 29.04.2023
Submissions open on Corrections Amendment Bill
The Justice Committee is calling for submissions on the Corrections Amendment Bill.
Submissions are due by 10 August 2023.
The Corrections Amendment Bill would make changes to the Corrections Act 2004. Some of these changes relate to family violence and sexual violence including people who use violence and victim/survivors.
The purpose of the bill is to improve rehabilitation, reintegration and safety outcomes in the Corrections system. The bill is responding to the changing and increasingly complex environment for Corrections and the over-representation of Māori in prison.
The Beehive media release highlights key points of the proposed legislation:
- "Better access to services and programmes for remand prisoners
- Improved rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes for all prisoners in the Corrections system
- Updated monitoring of prisoner communications and activities to support prison and public safety, including for victims of crime
- Strengthened disciplinary processes to hold prisoners to account, plus updated monitoring tools to ensure prison safety."
Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections does not currently have the ability to monitor digital communications of prisoners such as email, video calling or internet services. The bill includes changes that would allow Corrections to monitor digital communications in limited situations. Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis highlighted:
"For example, we need to know if a prisoner is contacting a registered victim or threatening people in the community. But at the same time I expect these powers to always be used appropriately and only when necessary."
Minister Davis also highlighted that:
"Currently people on remand have limited access to programmes, such as alcohol and drug treatment, because they cannot be mixed with sentenced prisoners who have been found guilty of a crime, but that doesn't mean they should be stopped from getting the help they need."
The Corrections Amendment Bill proposes allowing prisoners to be mixed in the following situations (see clause 45, emphasis added):
"(i)mixing of accused and convicted persons for non-offence-based programmes (such as therapeutic, education, kaupapa Māori, or religious-based programmes) if it is not practicable or therapeutic to provide the programmes separately:
(ii) mixing of accused and convicted persons who are allowed to keep their children with them in prison if it is not practicable or therapeutic to keep the persons separate:
(iii) mixing of young persons (within the meaning given in the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989) and adult prisoners if it is in the best interests of the young persons:"
The bill is also designed to build on Hōkai Rangi, the Corrections | Ara Poutama Aotearoa Strategy. The bill's explanatory note states "This Bill inserts pragmatic legislative provisions that provide for the Crown’s intention to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti)." The note provides an overview of how the bill will do this.
The bill includes other amendments to address best practice which include body imaging technology as an alternative to a rub-down search, and clarifications related to when strip searches may be carried out.
Submissions on the bill can be made online. For questions contact the Justice Committee at 04 817 9520 or ju@parliament.govt.nz.
Related news
In June 2023, the Chief Ombudsman published the report Kia Whaitake | Making a Difference: Investigation into Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections (2023). It calls on Ara Poutama Aotearoa | the Department of Corrections to urgently address workplace culture and leadership issues to achieve lasting change. See the related media below for responses to the report from Minister Kelvin Davis and Corrections Chief Executive Jeremy Lightfoot.
In May 2023 Ara Poutama Aotearoa | the Department of Corrections launched their Implementation Plan (2023) responding to Te Aorerekura: The National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence. In launching the plan Ara Poutama Aotearoa said the plan outlines how Corrections will build on existing work "...recognising that a significant proportion of people on sentences and orders have lived experience of violence. Grounded in mātauranga Māori, the plan acknowledges the need to be driven through the lens of te Ao Māori." Minister Marama Davidson and Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis spoke with Waatea News about the Ara Poutama Aotearoa implementation plan.
Related media
Treaty provisions set to be scrapped from Corrections Amendment Bill, 06.06.2024
Pursuit of victim relentless: judge, Otago Daily Times, 24.11.2023
Kelvin Davis pushes back on Ombudsman’s damming Corrections report, NZ Herald, 29.06.2023
Rawiri Waititi calls for Corrections transformation after scathing review, NZ Herald, 29.06.2023
Essential Māori part of the oversight of prisons, Minister Davis, Waatea News, 29.06.2023
'Disconnection at all levels': Ombudsman's scathing review of Corrections, Stuff, 28.06.2023
Minister of Corrections Kelvin Davis pushes back on Ombudsman’s report, Waatea News, 28.06.2023
An unexpected political alignment on law and order, Newsroom, 26.06.2023
Five years on remand: Justice system breaks its own record, Newsroom, 06.10.2022
ACC seeks new members for sexual violence advisory panel
ACC is inviting people to submit an expression of interest to join the ACC Sexual Violence Customer Advisory Panel.
Applications are due by 20 July 2023.
ACC has Customer Advisory Panels that support ACC to improve access, experiences, and outcomes for injured people and their families/whānau. One of those panels is the Sexual Violence Customer Advisory Panel.
The Sexual Violence Customer Advisory Panel connects ACC to the voices and needs of survivors of sexual violence and the people who support survivors. The Panel provides strategic, experiential and technical advice to support ACC to strengthen prevention, equity, and services to improve outcomes for survivors and families/whānau.
ACC is seeking new members for the Sexual Violence Customer Advisory Panel who:
- "Are passionate about prevention of and response to sexual violence in Aotearoa.
- Experience working with, or alongside, survivors of sexual violence, iwi, hapū and whānau.
- A sound understanding of the sexual violence sector.
- A sound understanding of the Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims.
- Demonstrate the ability to share a variety of views, concerns, and feedback of others, including those of clients, providers, and suppliers of ACC’s services.
- Have the confidence to actively join in helpful and open dialogue in a group setting."
The call for panellists notes that
"All panellists will have wide knowledge and experience as a leader in the broader sexual violence sector.
This knowledge, experience, and leadership may be through their own experience as a survivor of sexual violence, as a family/whānau member of, or advocate for, survivors of sexual violence, or as an appointed leader and representative of a specific organization related to sexual violence.
Panellists will also be selected to reflect cultural, age, gender, and geographic diversity, with intentional recruitment of members who represent Tangata Whenua, Pasifika, rainbow and takatāpui, and disabled communities."
You can apply online, contact ACC to apply over the phone or submit a video application.
For more information or to apply, see the ACC news story Keeping ACC connected to the communities we serve. Contact ACC with questions at customeradvisoryprogramme@acc.co.nz.
See information about the current Sexual Violence Customer Advisory Panel members and Terms of Reference.
Related news
ACC is evolving and strengthening the way they support survivors of sexual abuse and assault through the Integrated Service for Sensitive Claims (ISSC). This work involves ongoing engagement with stakeholder groups to identify challenges and opportunities to improve outcomes for survivors of sexual violence and to seek input on potential changes to the ISSC. ACC hosts quarterly sessions to share updates and hear from key stakeholders. The next sessions are scheduled for July and November. The July e-update from Te Puna Aonui has an update on this work. See the ACC website to learn more about this work and the quarterly sessions.
NZFVC webinar
The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse is hosting a webinar on Understanding the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms consultation. The webinar will give an overview of the proposed reforms and why this is important for people working in family violence and sexual violence. The webinar will be on Monday 10 July from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Panellists for the webinar are Anjum Rahman from Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono, Kate Hannah from The Disinformation Project and Jo Robertson from The Light Project.
See more information about the panellists and register to attend.
Consultation on regulating online services and media platforms
Update: In May 2024, Media reported that the Department of Internal Affairs will not be progressing with the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms programme.
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has proposed changes to the way media and online platforms are regulated in New Zealand to keep people safe online. DIA is inviting feedback on these reforms.
Submissions to the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms consultation close 31 July 2023.
General Manager Policy, Department of Internal Affairs, Suzanne Doig says "Child protection and consumer safety for media and online content is not as strong as it should be in Aotearoa. The existing regulatory system is decades old and predates media platforms such as social media."
Why is reform needed?
The regulatory legislation, including the Films, Videos and Publications (Classification Act) 1993 and the Broadcasting Act 1989, is over 30 years old. It does not cover the range of harms people experience across online services and media platforms.
A key focus of the proposed reform is around protecting children and young people from harm caused by online content. The DIA Frequently Asked Questions also highlights that many people are harmed by online content:
"During the targeted engagement phase of the programme, we also repeatedly heard concerns about how social media is used to harass, bully, or otherwise harm people. This concern was consistent across our engagement with Māori, young people, advocates for children, women, older people, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and communities that have been or are targets of ethnic, racial and/or religious discrimination.
These are real harms that are happening to New Zealanders. That’s why we need to get these settings right."
Misogynistic abuse and violent threats against women in New Zealand including wāhine Māori was also identified as a significant issue.
The consultation Discussion Document highlights many gaps and issues in the current regulatory system including challenges for seeking help or reporting harmful content:
"New Zealanders must figure out which of five industry complaint bodies to go to if they feel content is unsafe or breaches the conditions of the platform it is on. On top of that, not all forms of content are covered by those bodies. The system is also very reactive because it relies mainly on complaints about individual pieces of content. For most forms of content, we do not have the tools and powers to ensure that platforms are doing what they should to manage the risks of harmful content."
The Discussion Document also highlights that under our current system, behaviour that is illegal is sometimes tolerated online:
"Our current system has legal powers to deal with the most awful and illegal content like child sexual exploitation and promotion of terrorism, regardless of whether it is delivered online or through traditional forms of media such as printed publications. But sometimes content that includes other illegal actions (such as threatening to injure) can be taken less seriously or even amplified online."
The major change in the proposed reform is the way that social media platforms are regulated. Social media content is not consistently regulated in New Zealand. Many platforms have their own systems for dealing with unsafe content, but these are not overseen by a regulatory authority in New Zealand and are often voluntary. The Discussion Document notes:
'Unlike traditional broadcasters, like television and radio, online platforms do not have a single agreed code of standards, ethics, and rules. While platforms have their own policies to manage these harms, it is now internationally acknowledged that they need to be brought into formal regulatory systems to reduce the risk of harm."
What is proposed?
The proposed reform outlines a new way to regulate providers, like social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter) and traditional media platforms (like radio and TV) under one framework. The focus is on regulating platforms, versus content. The purpose of the reforms is to enhance protections by reducing exposure to harmful content regardless of the platform. The changes would bring all platforms into one framework with consistent safety standards.
The are 4 key elements to the proposed changes. These elements are based on the principle that platforms are responsible for the safety of the products and services they provide. The 4 elements include:
- an industry regulation model that uses codes of practice
- an independent regulator
- continuing to remove and block access to the most harmful content
- investment in education and awareness
The consultation Factsheet explains the different roles in the proposed changes:
- "Parliament will set New Zealand’s expectations for the safety-based outcomes platforms must achieve.
- Codes of practice will set out more detailed minimum expectations for harm minimisation, user protection and transparency across services.
- An independent regulator would be responsible for approving the codes and making sure platforms comply with those codes, as well as funding and finding opportunities for education."
The Discussion Document provides more detailed information about the key elements, different roles and how the codes of practice would work. It also includes 4 appendices that cover more details about the current situation, the principles guiding the work, the rights framework in New Zealand and a comparison table for frameworks in other countries.
DIA is not proposing changes to what is considered illegal in New Zealand. The Discussion Document says:
"The system would retain powers of censorship for the most extreme types of content (called ‘objectionable’ material). This material is already illegal, and it will remain illegal to produce, publish, possess and share."
And it goes on to say:
"The regulator would also have powers to require illegal material to be removed quickly from public availability in New Zealand. These powers exist already for objectionable material. We are proposing that the regulator should also have powers to deal with material that is illegal for other reasons, such as harassment or threats to kill. We seek your feedback on what other kinds of illegal material the regulator should have powers to deal with."
The proposed changes are focused on regulating platforms based on their role in providing a platform for distributing harmful content. The current proposals would significantly affect the functions of the Classification Office, Film and Video Labelling Body and Broadcasting Standards Authority (see page 65 of the Discussion Document).
The Discussion Document also notes:
"Organisations such as Netsafe will continue to help people navigate the new framework, and generally educate people on how to keep themselves safe online. Netsafe would also be an important partner in helping to identify emerging systemic issues for the regulator’s attention, as well as supporting the regulator’s monitoring and public awareness role."
More information
DIA has prepared several documents to explain the changes. This includes:
- a detailed discussion document (90 pages)
- brief executive summary
- factsheet (available in multiple languages)
- frequently asked questions
Most of these documents are available in alternate formats including large print, audio recording and video recording with sign language. You can find all information on the DIA Public Consultation: Safer Online Services and Media Platforms webpage.
DIA is hosting information session webinars. These sessions will explain the proposed changes, how to give feedback and answer questions. There are two sessions remaining on 8 July 2023 and 20 July 2023. Register for the free sessions.
InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa is hosting a free webinar on the basics of the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms framework on 4 July 2023. Register for the webinar.
DIA has also provided background information and a report summarising key themes from initial targeted engagement, Content Regulatory Review Summary of initial targeted engagement: September 2021 (published April 2022).
Update: See our submission, NZFVC submission to Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs Safer Online Services and Media Platforms.
Update: InternetNZ has created short guides about key factors of the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms consultation. This includes information about how the consultation considers Te Tiriti o Waitangi and issues for Māori.
Update: The Institute for Strategic Dialogue published the policy paper Misogynistic Pathways to Radicalisation: Recommended Measures for Platforms to Assess and Mitigate Online Gender-Based Violence in September 2023.
Update: Announcing their 2022/23 Annual Report, the Broadcasting Standards Authority said:
"Urgent and long-overdue reforms are needed to bring outdated laws and regulations into line with today’s broadcasting reality and ensure a sustainable media sector, the Broadcasting Standards Authority says.
It its 2022/23 annual report published today, the BSA emphasises the need for change to the 34-year-old legislation it operates under, to respond to the risks of a fast-changing media landscape."
Update: Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Human Rights Commission published the independent report, How to improve the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms? in December 2023. The report looks at how the Code of Practice could be improved to address Te Tiriti and human rights. The Code is a voluntary code signed by Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), Tiktok, Twitch, and Twitter (now X) to guide how these tech companies manage online harm in Aotearoa. Anjum Rahman, Founder and Project Co-Lead of Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono, spoke with radio 531pi about the report and issues with the Code. Aliya 'Allyn' Danzeisen, National Coordinator for Islamic Women's Council New Zealand, was recently interviewed about digital responsibility and the part the government needs to play.
The 2023 report from the World Internet Project (NZ) found that 61% of people believed social media companies should be more strongly regulated than they are now. See media outlet The Press's article Most Kiwis spending at least 5 hours a day online but trust in social media low.
How to give feedback
The Discussion Document outlines 26 questions. You can provide feedback on some or all of these questions. You can also provide feedback that is not addressed in the questions.
You can give feedback by:
- submitting the online form
- downloading and filling in a form and sending it to sosmp_consultation@dia.govt.nz
- post to Safer Online Services and Media Platforms Consultation, Department of Internal Affairs, PO Box 805, Wellington 6140
- email to sosmp_consultation@dia.govt.nz.
Questions for feedback are listed in the Discussion Document on pages 12-13. For each question, it lists the page where you can find the relevant information in the Discussion Document.
Comments from community agencies
Anjum Rahman, Co-Lead of Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono “...welcome[d] the move to an independent regulator that will be protected from political interference by the State or any political actors. ” However, Rahman highlighted concerns saying
“...as the proposal is for the regulator to regulate platforms rather than content, the content regulation is left to industry codes of practice.
"We have been advocating for the past two years to have proper involvement of impacted communities in the development of the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms administered by NZ Tech. We continue to be of the opinion that this Code will not serve the needs of the communities who need it most.
“To have further codes of practice developed by industry, rather than civil society and communities, will lead to similar results. Any new regulatory structures must include a strong community voice embedded in the model, rather than at the discretion of industry actors."
InternetNZ Chief Executive, Vivien Maidaborn welcomed the consultation saying "It could potentially be one of the most important opportunities in a generation to enable regulation that helps address harmful online content." Maidaborn encouraged communities who disproportionately experience harm to give feedback saying:
“It is especially important that communities that are at most risk have their say. This proposed regulation, and the codes to be developed under it, will not serve those communities unless they are heard during this process.
“Feedback from diverse voices is critical if the government is to get this right and the systems are going to be effective.”
Related news
InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa published a new report that explores what an ‘Internet for good’ means for people in Aotearoa. The report, An Internet that benefits (July 2023), shares findings from conversations with over 140 people across Aotearoa about their experiences with and aspirations for the internet. InternetNZ commissioned Toi Āria: Design for Public Good and Making Everything Achievable to do this research. The team actively sought to hear from tāngata whenua, Pasifika, people living with disability, LGBQTTQIA+ communities, migrant and former refugee communities and younger people. The report highlights 7 themes:
- "Our Aotearoa context is unique
- The Internet is here to stay
- The Internet is changing us
- The Internet is not safe for everybody<
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