The Government wants to hear from the public and civil society organisations before 7 February next year on its draft report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Covenant).
Deputy Secretary Policy at the Ministry of Justice, Caroline Greaney, says all countries signed to the Covenant are obliged to submit reports to a United Nations Committee providing detail on how economic, social and cultural rights are being upheld.
The report, which is New Zealand’s fifth, responds to the recommendations following our last examination in 2018 and from the Committee’s response to our 2020 follow-up report.
“The draft report summarises New Zealand’s commitment to upholding economic, social and cultural rights such as labour rights, the right to health, the right to education and the right to an adequate standard of living,” she says.
The content takes a constructive approach in explaining issues New Zealand is facing and what is being done to address these issues.
In March 2025, the New Zealand Government will submit the final report to the UN Committee.
Your feedback will help to inform the report and provide information about how the Government is doing to address economic, social and cultural rights in New Zealand.
Submissions are open from 12 December 2024 to 7 February 2025. You can submit: