# New Zealand - United States Department of State

- Resettlement Diplomacy Network Senior Officials Meeting Office of the SpokespersonFrom April 29 to May 1, 2024, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Julieta Valls Noyes convened the third Senior Officials Meeting of the Resettlement Diplomacy Network (RDN) in Washington, DC.  Under the chairship of the United States, senior government officials from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with representatives of the European Commission, participated in the exchange.The meeting provided an opportunity for participating states to review the impact of the RDN’s work since its inaugural ministerial meeting in September 2023 and to assess priorities for continued collective action on refugee resettlement and complementary pathways that help strengthen the global protection system.Participants discussed the use of the Emergency Coordination Platform established within the RDN (also known as the “Red Phone” mechanism) to facilitate rapid collaboration on situations of shared concern, including continued focus on providing safety to Afghan refugees in need of protection.  In addition, participants reflected on lessons from previous emergency responses to large-scale displacement and discussed opportunities to work together to strengthen the global resettlement and complementary protection pathways system, including by strengthening existing emergency transit infrastructure, using innovative refugee resettlement referral mechanisms, and leveraging community-driven sponsorship models.  Finally, participants discussed the Safe Mobility initiative and further opportunities for coordination on infrastructure to support pathways to resettlement.The United States launched the RDN in September 2022.  Pathways International and the Migration Policy Institute support the U.S. chairship of the RDN as the RDN secretariat.
- ANZAC Day Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateOn behalf of the United States of America, I am honored to join in commemorating ANZAC Day this April 25, 2024, alongside Australia and New Zealand.Today, we pay homage to the valor and sacrifice of the ANZAC forces who epitomized courage during the Gallipoli Campaign. We reflect, too, on the debt of gratitude we all owe our servicepeople. Their unwavering dedication to defending freedom and democracy serves as an enduring testament to the ideals we hold dear.In recognizing the sacrifices of the past and the steadfast commitment of our service members, we reaffirm the unbreakable bonds of friendship and partnership between our nations. From the trenches of World War I to the present-day challenges, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand have stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of shared values and principles.On this ANZAC Day, let us honor the legacy of our fallen heroes by rededicating ourselves to the pursuit of peace and prosperity.
- Creative Writers Imagine Solutions to Climate Challenges Aubrey R. Paris, Ph.D., Ilinca Drondoe, and Laura GambleOffice of Global Women&#8217;s IssuesThe urgency of the climate crisis demands a collective response that is reflective of different backgrounds and areas of expertise, and it requires elevating voices and perspectives that may not usually be heard. This includes members of the creative industries, who not only play a role in imagining innovative solutions, but also in developing narratives that enhance our understanding of climate-related challenges and opportunities. On this World Creativity and Innovation Day, we are highlighting an international collective of writers that aims to do just that.Through its Innovation Station initiative, the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) collaborated with Syllble, an organization empowering global cohorts of speculative fiction writers, to form the “One Humanity Writing Collective.” Since 2021, One Humanity has asked women and non-binary creative writers to imagine futuristic worlds impacted by — and devising solutions to — pressing climate challenges, ranging from drought to floods to wildfires. According to Paulinette J. Quirindongo, an author from Puerto Rico, the collective’s work makes the climate crisis feel more human. She explained that “words can be used to transform minds ... Words are power.&#8221;Crafting Futuristic WorldsOne Humanity connects writers from diverse U.S. and international locations, particularly locations that may face similar climate challenges, to craft their futuristic worlds. The collective’s writers have hailed from California, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico, as well as Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, and New Zealand. Their collaborative writing — an exercise in cultural diplomacy — has demonstrated the value in having conversations about and theorizing solutions to climate and environmental challenges that transcend borders.For Ligia Anjos, a designer from Brazil, the project allowed her to play an active role in changing the narrative around climate action. “When I see some climate solutions , I think, ‘this will not work in Latin America.’” She emphasized that the collective’s diversity “helped us to learn ... not only about writing, but about the world,” allowing participants to co-create a vision for a more equitable future.  A few authors from the One Humanity Writing Collective (left to right): Ligia Anjos, C.B. Calsing, Elyse Hauser, Paulinette J. Quirindongo, and Caylee Tierney. (Courtesy Photos)To inform the writing process, S/GWI introduced One Humanity writers to women subject matter experts from the Innovation Station network to share their work on climate science and action. Each month, the authors met virtually for a workshop on an environmental issue that would provide inspiration for the next chapter of their story.“One writer  volunteer to write a story on that issue,” shared Elyse Hauser, a Seattle-area author. “Then we would meet again to talk about their draft.” She added that their writing process was strengthened by open discussions about how climate change affects each author’s community.“Some of us are making our own main character that reflects our personal knowledge,” Hauser mentioned, noting that she contributed a personally inspired chapter written from the perspective of the daughter of refugees. Similarly, Quirindongo created a character representative of Puerto Rico’s native Taino culture, bringing her unique ancestry into the collective’s stories.Including Marginalized VoicesCelebrating characters from underrepresented communities and incorporating culturally significant themes were important goals of the writers. Caylee Tierney, an Australian author, emphasized that “marginalized voices are some of the more resilient ones in climate change discussions. Women and non-binary people are often used to the feeling of not being heard ... and if you can gather together more people, then you can have a richer understanding.” Participating in the collective has inspired Tierney to “channel activism through writing,” and as she pursues a career in creative writing, she emphasized her desire to create similarly collaborative, motivating spaces.Projects like One Humanity enable women and non-binary individuals to be a mouthpiece for climate storytelling, an important aspect of facilitating their climate leadership, as emphasized in the U.S. Strategy to Respond to the Effects of Climate Change on Women.When asked about the experience of writing across borders of identity and geography, the authors underscored the importance of listening carefully to one another. Writer C.B. Calsing shared her impression that “the most challenging part  setting aside the assumption about how you think things are elsewhere.” She believes it is important to feature women and non-binary authors because of the need for balance and representation in all spaces, ranging from decision-making bodies to written anthologies. Learning about each other increases cultural literacy and creates stories featuring inclusive solutions.At SYLLBLECON 2023, Syllble’s annual virtual convention for speculative fiction writers, the One Humanity Writing Collective joined other creative writers in pitching  their futuristic world to Hollywood judges. Those judges crowned One Humanity the winner of the World of the Year Award  based on “visionary potential, immersive storytelling, cultural significance, and overall market appeal.”Their project explores a world set in 2060 and follows an autonomous and self-aware ship that sails across the world, assisting climate refugees and navigating climate change impacts. Concerns like ocean acidification and shoreline erosion feature prominently in the collective’s stories, but so do possible solutions, however futuristic they may seem. “When you go into a fictional world,” Hauser shared, “you really can explore more systemic approaches to change or dig deeper into the systemic nature of the issues that we face.”Life-changing ExperienceA resounding theme echoes through the wisdom of these five gifted writers: hope. Hope illuminates their voices and work, bridging divides and forging connections; hope brightens our world through learning, collaboration, and unity; and hope creates a vision for our planet, as the stories penned today ignite the solutions of tomorrow.For Anjos, participating in One Humanity has been a life-changing experience allowing her to connect her technology skills with her passion for storytelling. In her words, “we are what we listen to; we are what we watch. When we create, we open doors for women to share their opinions, to build the future. We are able to make something different.”Aubrey R. Paris, Ph.D., is the Senior Policy Advisor for Gender, Climate Change, and Innovation in the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI), where she leads the Innovation Station initiative. Ilinca Drondoe and Laura Gamble are VSFS interns with the Innovation Station.
- New Zealand HomeReportsBureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices&#8230;New Zealand				hide	document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {	if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}});																							2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: New Zealand																																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																																																																																							Download Report																																																							Translations																																																																 In this section										/																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																																													EXECUTIVE SUMMARY																															Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																																									a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																																											b. Disappearance																																																																											c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																																			Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																																																		d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																																			Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																																																		e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																																			Trial Procedures																																																								Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																																																		f. Transnational Repression																																																																											g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																																											h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																																																	Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																																									a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																																			Internet Freedom																																																																																																																		b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																																											c. Freedom of Religion																																																																											d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																																											e. Protection of Refugees																																																																																	Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																																									Elections and Political Participation																																																																																	Section 4. Corruption in Government																															Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																															Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																																									Women																																																																											Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																																											Indigenous Peoples																																																																											Children																																																																											Antisemitism																																																																											Trafficking in Persons																																																																											Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																																											Persons with Disabilities																																																																																	Section 7. Worker Rights																																																									a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																																											b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																																											c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																																											d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																																											e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																																																																							EXECUTIVE SUMMARY				There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in New Zealand during the year.There were no credible reports of significant human rights abuses.The government took credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses.																														Section 1.													 Respect for the Integrity of the Person												    																																																a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings										There were no reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings.																																				b. Disappearance										There were no reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.																																				c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses										The law prohibited such practices, and there were no credible reports government officials employed them.																Prison and Detention Center Conditions						Watchdog groups highlighted overcrowding, inadequate mental health treatment and treatment of prisoners at risk of self-harm, excessive restraint (including the abuse of solitary confinement), and prisoner-on-prisoner violence as systemic problems in prisons and detention facilities.  The UN Committee against Torture, publishing its findings after in-person hearings in August, acknowledged positive government efforts to improve prison conditions and mental health services for detainees, but it raised concerns of persistent problems in the youth justice sector.Administration:  Inmates could make uncensored complaints to statutory inspectors, the ombudsman, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Independent Monitoring:  The government permitted prison-monitoring visits by independent human rights observers.  The law provided for specified rights of inspection, including by members of parliament and justices of the peace.  The Office of the Ombudsman inspected prisons and mental health facilities to prevent cruel and abusive treatment, in line with international standards and domestic laws, and reported to parliament annually on prison conditions.  In June the ombudsman published seven “expectations for the conditions and treatment of people in prisons.”  Information was publicly available on complaints and investigations, subject to the provisions of privacy legislation.The ombudsman’s most recent inspections of Department of Corrections facilities and locked healthcare units throughout the country found no evidence of torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, but it did note concerns regarding inmate and patient health care, privacy, and lack of Maori cultural support.																										d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention										The law prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court.  The government observed these requirements.																Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees						Police could arrest a suspect without a warrant if there was reasonable cause; however, they usually required a court-issued warrant.  Police officers could enter premises without a warrant to arrest a person if they reasonably suspected the person committed a crime on the premises or if they found the person committing an offense and were in pursuit.  Police had to inform arrested persons “as soon as possible” of their legal rights and the grounds for their arrest.After arresting and charging a suspect, police could release a suspect on bail until the first court appearance.  Except for more serious offenses, such as assault or burglary, bail was normally granted and frequently did not require a deposit of money.  Suspects had the right to appear “as soon as possible” before a judge for a determination of the legality of the arrest and detention.  After the first court appearance, the judge typically granted bail unless there was a significant risk the suspect would flee, tamper with witnesses or evidence, or commit a crime while on bail.  Authorities allowed detainees prompt access to a lawyer of their choice and, if indigent, to a lawyer provided by the government.																										e. Denial of Fair Public Trial										The law provided for an independent judiciary, and the government respected judicial independence and impartiality.																Trial Procedures						The law provided for the right to a fair and public trial, and the judiciary generally enforced this right.  In July the Supreme Court sat in a rare closed session to hear the appeal of a woman stripped of her passport over concerns she posed a terrorism threat to the security of a third country.						Political Prisoners and Detainees						There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.																										f. Transnational Repression										Not applicable.																																				g. Property Seizure and Restitution										Not applicable.																																				h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence										The law prohibited such actions, and there were no reports the government failed to respect these prohibitions.																																					Section 2.													 Respect for Civil Liberties												    																																																a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media										The constitution and laws provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right.  An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for media members.In February the government abandoned proposals for hate speech legislation after commentators and opposition members of parliament expressed concern that changes, such as adding religion to categories already covered, including color, race, or ethnic and national origin, would prove difficult to define.																Internet Freedom						The government did not generally restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content.The government banned publication on the internet of information concerning the 2019 terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch and the attacker’s “manifesto.”																										b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association										The law provided for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				c. Freedom of Religion										See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report at  https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.																																				d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country										The law provided for freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation, and the government generally respected these rights.																																				e. Protection of Refugees										The government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and other persons of concern.  The country’s Refugee Resettlement Strategy was reviewed annually.Access to Asylum:  The law provided for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government had an established system for providing protection to refugees.  Refugees could arrive in the country in three ways:  (1) through the UNHCR resettlement (“quota”) program; (2) as asylum seekers submitting temporary “protection claims”; or (3) as family members reunified with refugees already living in the country.Durable Solutions:  Authorities granted refugees who arrived through the quota program – capped at 1,500 per year – permanent residence status, and they could apply for naturalization after five year’s residence in the country.  When refugees arrived, they stayed at a central refugee resettlement center in Auckland for six weeks.  According to the government, they also received settlement support for up to 12 months, including help with learning English, health, education, and employment, though opposition members of parliament claimed in May that refugees suffered from inadequate accommodation and financial hardship.Temporary Protection:  The country provided temporary protection to persons who were not qualified as refugees on arrival but who filed a “protection claim.”  Advocacy groups were concerned asylum seekers outside the UN quota system did not receive the same level of governmental support as quota refugees, specifically in finding work.																																					Section 3.													 Freedom to Participate in the Political Process												    																						The law provided citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage.																										Elections and Political Participation										Abuses or Irregularities in Recent Elections:  National elections in 2023 were widely reported to be fair and free of abuses and irregularities.																																					Section 4.													 Corruption in Government												    																						The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively.  The Serious Fraud Office and police investigated corruption.  Agencies such as the Office of the Controller and Auditor General, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman, independently reported on and investigated state-sector activities, acting as watchdogs for public-sector corruption.  Only parliament could remove individuals designated as “officers of parliament” from their positions.In late 2022 several donors to the opposition National Party were found guilty of breaching election finance laws and sentenced to community service.  The donors appealed their convictions; and the case was open as of October.For additional information concerning corruption in the country, please see the Department of State’s Investment Climate Statement for the country and the Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which includes information on financial crimes.																											Section 5.													 Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights												    																						Domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction to monitor or investigate human rights conditions or cases and publish their findings.  Government officials were cooperative and responsive to the views of these groups.Government Human Rights Bodies:  The Ministry of Justice funded the Human Rights Commission (HRC), which operated as an independent agency without government interference.The Office of the Ombudsman, responsible to parliament but independent of the government, investigated complaints regarding administrative acts, decisions, recommendations, and omissions of national and local government agencies; inspected prisons; and followed up on prisoner complaints.  The office enjoyed government cooperation, operated without government or party interference, had adequate resources, and was considered effective.  The ombudsman produced a wide variety of reports for the government that were publicly available.The Department of Internal Affairs provided administrative assistance to significant public and governmental inquiries into, among other items, human rights abuses.  The only large-scale ongoing inquiry was an investigation into abuse in care, underway since early 2018.																											Section 6.													 Discrimination and Societal Abuses												    																																																Women										Rape and Domestic Violence:  The law criminalized rape of women and men, including spousal rape.  The government enforced this law effectively.  The maximum penalty was 20 years’ imprisonment; however, preventive detention could occur in cases when the parole board ruled the prisoner posed a continuing threat to society.According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the country had a high rate of intimate partner violence against women.  The most recent data available from the Ministry of Justice (2021-2022) showed convictions for sexual offenses increased slightly from the previous year, although the trend over the last decade was a significant decline.  According to the ministry’s most recent annual Crime and Victims Survey (November 2021-November 2022) published in June, approximately 2 percent of adults had experienced sexual violence in the previous 12 months; approximately the same as in previous years.Domestic violence was a criminal offense.  Police were responsive to reports of domestic violence, and the government enforced the law effectively.  Women were almost four times more likely than men to have experienced intimate partner violence.The law defined family violence to reflect how controlling behavior could be used over time to frighten victims and undermine their autonomy; it provided principles to guide decision making and timely responses across agencies; and it allowed information sharing between agencies to increase survivors’ safety.Other Forms of Gender-based Violence or Harassment:  The law prohibited sexual harassment.  Employers were required to ensure their workplace was free of behaviors that were unwelcome or offensive, and the law provided for civil proceedings.  Sexual contact induced by certain threats also carried a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.  The government, through the HRC and police, effectively enforced the law.Discrimination:  The law provided the same legal status and rights for women and men, including under family, religious, personal status, labor, property, nationality, and inheritance laws.  The government effectively enforced the law, although a wage gap persisted between men and women in the workplace.Reproductive Rights:  There were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization on the part of government authorities.The government provided access to health services, including emergency contraception and postexposure prophylaxis, for survivors of sexual violence.In 2021 the Health Care Quality and Safety Commission (HCQSC) identified noteworthy racial disparities in the issuance of oral contraceptives, interpreted by the HCQSC in the context of women’s inability to access primary healthcare due to cost.																																				Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination										The law prohibited violence and discrimination against racial or ethnic minorities, and the government enforced these laws effectively.In its most recent annual report (2021-2022), the HRC reported that most complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination received (outside the “disability” category) related to race, racial harassment, or racial disharmony.  In 2022 an HRC report found that Pacific Islanders and Asians were disproportionately affected by bullying and harassment in the workplace.Pacific Islanders constituted 8 percent of the population in the most recent national census (2018).  They experienced some societal discrimination and had a higher-than-average rate of unemployment and among the lowest labor force participation of any ethnic group.  Several government ministries, including the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and the Ministry of Health, had programs to identify gaps in delivery of government services to Pacific Islanders and to promote their education, employment, entrepreneurship, culture, languages, and identity.Individuals who identified as Asians made up 15 percent of the population and reported some societal discrimination.  The Ministry for Ethnic Communities provided a range of services and products for marginalized ethnic communities.																																				Indigenous Peoples										Approximately 16.5 percent of the population in the 2018 census claimed descent from the Maori people.  The government bestowed specific recognition and rights, enshrined in law, custom, and practice, on Maori persons based on the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, the country’s foundational document, which guaranteed autonomy, self-determination, sovereignty, and self-government to Maori persons.The law prohibited discrimination against the Indigenous population, but Maori persons experienced some societal discrimination and disproportionately high numbers of Maori persons were on welfare rolls, in prison, among school dropouts, and in single-parent households.  Maori persons had elevated infant mortality statistics.  An August 2022 HRC report found that Maori individuals were disproportionately affected by bullying and harassment in the workplace.  Maori persons had higher rates of unemployment than non-Maori – 7.1 percent in June, above the country’s average of 3.6 percent – and a labor force participation rate of 70 percent, below the country’s average of 72.4 percent.To redress historic violations by the government of the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Waitangi Tribunal, a standing commission of inquiry, adjudicated claims by various Maori groups (iwi).  The tribunal made recommendations on claims brought by Maori relating to legislation, policies, actions, or omissions of the government that were alleged to breach the promises made in the Treaty of Waitangi.  The government continued active negotiations with almost all iwi that made claims.In August the UN Committee against Torture called on the government to reduce the disproportionately high number of Maori persons in prisons, improve the conditions of persons in detention, and raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, in line with the Convention Against Torture.  Maori persons constituted 53 percent of the prison population and nearly 50 percent of persons serving community-based sentences.																																				Children										Child Abuse:  The law defined and prohibited child abuse, and the government effectively enforced the law.  The government promoted information sharing between the courts and health and child protection agencies to identify children at risk of abuse.The law permitted the ministry for children to act quickly to ensure the safety of newborns at immediate risk of serious harm, notably from parental substance abuse, family violence, or medical neglect.  While admissions to Care and Protection Residences run by the ministry declined, a disproportionately high percentage of children (approximately 60 percent) entering children’s ministry homes were Maori.  Children younger than age five made up 30 percent of all children entering into care.A Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was ongoing as of December.Child, Early, and Forced Marriage:  The legal minimum age for marriage was 18 for both men and women, but children between 16 and 18 could marry with family-court approval.  Marriages involving children younger than 18 were rare.  Child welfare advocates believed parents forced a small number of marriages of children between the ages of 16 and 18.Sexual Exploitation of Children:  The law provided that any person who engaged in sexual conduct with a child younger than 16 – the minimum age for consensual sex – was liable to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.  The law made it an offense punishable by seven years’ imprisonment to assist a child younger than 18 in providing commercial sexual services; to receive earnings from commercial sexual services provided by a child younger than 18; or to contract for commercial sexual services from, or be a client of, a child younger than 18.  While these statutes covered the sexual exploitation of children, the trafficking in persons statute required a demonstration of deception or coercion to constitute a child sex-trafficking offense.Authorities could prosecute citizens who committed child sex offenses overseas, and they did so in cooperation with several foreign governments.Government statistics reported 488 convictions in 2022-2023 for sexual offenses against children younger than age 16, an increase from the previous year, although the trend was broadly stable over the last decade.The law prohibited child pornography and provided for a maximum 14 years’ imprisonment and heavy fines if a person produced, imported, supplied, distributed, or possessed for supply, displays, or exhibits an objectionable publication.  The Censorship Compliance Unit in the Department of Internal Affairs policed images of child sex abuse on the internet and prosecuted offenders.																																				Antisemitism										According to the 2018 census, the Jewish community numbered approximately 5,200.  While antisemitic incidents were relatively rare, in June the New Zealand Jewish Council expressed concern over a rise in online antisemitic content, which “poses real danger” and “can create conditions which incite real violence.”																																				Trafficking in Persons										See the Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics										Criminalization:  The law did not criminalize consensual same-sex sexual conduct between individuals ages 16 and older.Violence and Harassment:  According to the Ministry of Justice’s Crime and Victims Survey (November 2021 – November 2022), adults identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or having other diverse sexualities had a higher than average likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence and sexual violence.  There were no reports that officials failed to investigate, prosecute, and punish those complicit in violence and abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+) persons.Discrimination:  The law explicitly recognized LGBTQI+ couples and their families and granted them rights equal to the rights of other persons.  Same-sex marriage was legal.  The law prohibited abuse, discrimination, and acts of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the government enforced the law.  An August 2022 HRC report found that bisexual employees suffered disproportionately from bullying and harassment in the workplace.  According to government body Employment New Zealand, “transgender people may be protected under the Human Rights Act 1993 from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of gender identity in the workplace but this has not been tested in New Zealand courts.”Transgender persons experienced some societal discrimination, but according to media in June, the “vast majority of New Zealanders believe trans people should be protected from discrimination.”Availability of Legal Gender Recognition:  Individuals seeking to amend the sex recorded on their birth certificates needed to go to the family court and have medical treatment to physically conform with the sex they wanted listed on their birth certificate.  The Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act of 2021 (not yet fully in force), however, introduced a self-identification process to amend the sex recorded on birth certificates that no longer required those steps.Involuntary or Coercive Medical or Psychological Practices:  The law prohibited performing conversion practices on anyone younger than age 18 and criminalized conversion practices carried out with the intention of changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  The law also allowed for civil redress for victims of conversion practices.  The HRC provided services to persons who experienced involuntary conversion practices.Non-lifesaving surgical procedures on intersex children for the purpose of “normalizing” gender appearance were legal and occurred.Restrictions of Freedom of Expression, Association, or Peaceful Assembly:  There were no reports of such restrictions.																																				Persons with Disabilities										Persons with disabilities could access education, health services, public buildings, and transportation on an equal basis with others.  The law prohibited discrimination against persons with disabilities – whether physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental – unless such discrimination could be “demonstrably justified.”  The government effectively enforced applicable laws.Most school-age children with disabilities attended either schools dedicated to children with disabilities or mainstream schools.  According to Statistics NZ, more than 30 percent of youth (aged 15-24) with disabilities were not in education, employment, or training, compared with only 10 percent of the general population.  Persons with disabilities faced employment discrimination in hiring and access to the workplace.  The unemployment rate for persons with a disability in June was 9 percent, more than twice that of persons without a disability.  Unlawful discrimination on the grounds of disability was the most common cause of complaints to the HRC in 2021-2022 (the most recent figures available).Watchdog groups were concerned about compulsory assessments and treatments and the use of seclusion and restrictive practices in medical facilities, especially those involved with mental health services.  Maori persons were significantly more likely to be subjected to these practices.																																					Section 7.													 Worker Rights												    																																																a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining										The law provided for the right of workers to form and join independent unions of their choice without previous authorization or excessive requirements, to bargain collectively, and to conduct legal strikes, with some restrictions.  The law prohibited antiunion discrimination.  While the law did not require reinstatement of workers dismissed for union activity, courts could order this at their discretion.Police had the right to freedom of association and the right to organize and bargain collectively, but sworn police officers (including all uniformed and plainclothes police but excluding clerical and support staff) did not have the right to strike or take any form of industrial action.Contractors and self-employed persons were subject to occupational safety and health (OSH) laws, but not other employment-related laws.  They could not join unions, bargain collectively, or conduct strikes.Workers could only strike while negotiating a collective bargaining agreement or over matters of health and safety.  An employer could employ another person to perform the work of a striking employee under strict conditions.  Strikes by providers of essential services were subject to certain procedural requirements, including mandatory notice of three to 28 days, depending on the service involved.  The list of essential services was broader than international standards on the definition of essential services.To bargain collectively, unions had to be registered, independent, governed by democratic rules, and have a minimum of 15 members.  Unions could not bargain collectively on social or political issues.The government respected these rights and effectively enforced applicable laws without lengthy delays.  Employment legislation placed a statutory duty on both unions and employers to bargain in good faith and entitled both employees and employers to engage in economic sanctions (strikes and lockouts) to support their bargaining claims.  The law provided penalties for violations of freedom of association or collective bargaining protections that included fines commensurate with those applied to similar crimes.  Penalties were regularly applied against violators.  Cases were occasionally referred to the civil Employment Court, which heard and determined cases relating to employment disputes.  Employment Court cases included challenges to determinations of the Employment Relations Authority (a government-appointed tribunal that helped resolve employment relationship problems), questions regarding the interpretation of laws, and disputes over strikes and lockouts.																																				b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor										See the Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report at  https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/.																																				c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment										The law prohibited the worst forms of child labor and provided for a minimum age of employment, limitations on working hours, and OSH restrictions for children.  By law children younger than age 16 could not work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.  The law also stated children enrolled in school could not work, even outside school hours, if such employment could interfere with their education.  The law banned employment of children younger than 15 in specific hazardous industries such as manufacturing, mining, and forestry.Government inspectors effectively enforced these laws.  The law outlined prison sentencing guidelines and fines for the most serious offenses.  Penalties were commensurate with those for similar crimes.  Penalties were regularly applied against violators.Small numbers of children ages 16 to 18 worked in hazardous situations, such as in agriculture; the law required them to be fully trained.  Children younger than 15 could not drive a tractor or large vehicle, except children working in agriculture older than 12 and fully trained or in training, or if they lived on the property.See the Department of Labor’s Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor at  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/findings&nbsp; for information on the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau.																																				d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																														e. Acceptable Conditions of Work										Wage and Hour Laws:  Income researchers frequently used 60 percent of the median household as the unofficial poverty level, and the minimum hourly wage was set above this.  The wage was adjusted annually.The law provided that work hours should be set in collective or individual agreements between employers and employees.  Although a 40-hour workweek was traditional, employers and employees could contractually agree to a workweek of more than 40 hours.  Overtime pay was negotiable.  Labor regulations did not define an absolute maximum number of overtime hours.Occupational Safety and Health:  The government established appropriate OSH standards and proactively investigated labor conditions.  Extensive laws and regulations governed health and safety issues.  Employers were obliged to provide a safe and healthy work environment, as they had primary responsibility for individuals’ health and safety at work.  The law allowed workers to refuse to perform work likely to cause serious harm and permitted legal recourse if the worker believed an employer penalized them as a result.  The government also required employers to provide health insurance for seasonal workers.Wage, Hour, and OSH Enforcement:  The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment enforced laws governing working conditions through subagencies such as the Labor Inspectorate, Employment NZ, and Worksafe, the official OSH authority.  The number of inspectors was sufficient to enforce compliance.  In cases of noncompliance with labor law, inspectors had the authority to make unannounced visits and to shut down equipment, levy fines, require restitution of wages, and revoke the licenses of offenders.  Labor inspectors effectively enforced wages, hours, safety, and health rules in all sectors.  Worksafe reported that 75 percent of surveyed employers changed their workplace practices following inspections.  Convictions for violations of the OSH law, as well as for violations of the wages and hours law, could result in fines, deportation of noncitizens, or imprisonment.  These penalties were commensurate with similar violations.  Penalties were regularly applied against violators.Employers who breached minimum employment standards for their migrant workers faced a set 12 month “stand-down” period during which they lost the ability to support migrant visa applications.  As of September, 62 companies or employers were on the stand-down list.The informal economy was approximately one tenth of GDP, and authorities enforced labor laws in this sector.																																				    							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Respect for the Integrity of the Person																																							a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings																																																						b. Disappearance																																																						c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Other Related Abuses																																																				Prison and Detention Center Conditions																																																																																				d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention																																																				Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees																																																																																				e. Denial of Fair Public Trial																																																				Trial Procedures																																												Political Prisoners and Detainees																																																																																				f. Transnational Repression																																																						g. Property Seizure and Restitution																																																						h. Arbitrary or Unlawful Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence																																																			Section 2. Respect for Civil Liberties																																							a. Freedom of Expression, Including for Members of the Press and Other Media																																																				Internet Freedom																																																																																				b. Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association																																																						c. Freedom of Religion																																																						d. Freedom of Movement and the Right to Leave the Country																																																						e. Protection of Refugees																																																			Section 3. Freedom to Participate in the Political Process																																							Elections and Political Participation																																																			Section 4. Corruption in Government																Section 5. Governmental Posture Towards International and Nongovernmental Monitoring and Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights																Section 6. Discrimination and Societal Abuses																																							Women																																																						Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination																																																						Indigenous Peoples																																																						Children																																																						Antisemitism																																																						Trafficking in Persons																																																						Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics																																																						Persons with Disabilities																																																			Section 7. Worker Rights																																							a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining																																																						b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor																																																						c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment																																																						d. Discrimination (see section 6)																																																						e. Acceptable Conditions of Work																																																									Tags																					Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor																								Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																								New Zealand
- Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters Office of the SpokespersonThe following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and New Zealand on the occasion of the visit to Washington, D.C. by Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his meeting with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.Begin text:We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule of law, democracy, human rights, trade and investment, and strong people-to-people connections. At a moment when our nations face shared challenges—including the climate crisis, strategic competition, and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine—we are working more closely than ever to tackle them together and champion our shared values and interests.Our countries are united by our enduring stake in an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We are resolved to uphold the conditions that have seen the region thrive, including freedom of navigation, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and internationally agreed-upon rules and norms. These are the principles that will continue to guide our partnership into the future, supported by diplomacy, development, defence, economy, and intelligence, the latter enhanced by our long-standing Five Eyes partnership.To advance this shared vision, we commit today to working even more closely together not only with each other, but also with our like-minded regional partners, especially our mutual ally Australia. We see great potential for collaboration in frameworks and architectures that reflect our shared vision. We share the view that arrangements such as the Quad, AUKUS, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity contribute to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and see powerful reasons for New Zealand engaging practically with them, as and when all parties deem it appropriate.Our nations share deep ties with—and commitment to—the Pacific Islands. New Zealand warmly welcomes the United States’ comprehensive program of engagement with the Pacific, which provides a strong platform for working together for a more prosperous and resilient region. The United States applauds New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific Islands, including the announcement of a substantial investment to provide critical internet connectivity. Our continued work in the Pacific will be guided by the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum and the region’s priorities, consistent with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. We will continue to prioritize working with others to amplify Pacific priorities globally, including through the Partners in the Blue Pacific.The principles we support in the Indo-Pacific are universal. They drive what we seek to achieve elsewhere in the world, whether through NATO and its partnership with the four Indo-Pacific democracies of New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea, or through other regional and global mechanisms.For the past decade and more, the vital U.S.-New Zealand relationship has been guided by the Wellington and Washington Declarations. Today we re-commit ourselves to these documents—but we also recognize that the most challenging strategic environment in decades requires us to do more together. We resolved today to seek to meet annually at the Secretary of State and Foreign Minister level. We reaffirmed the vital role played by the foreign policy, defence, intelligence, economic, space and tech partnerships between our two countries. These mechanisms actuate our relationship and our unwavering commitment to the values that we prize.End text.
- Secretary Antony J. Blinken And New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters Before Their Meeting Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateWashington, D.C.Harry S. Truman BuildingSECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good morning, everyone.  It’s a great pleasure to welcome Deputy Prime Minister Peters here to the State Department, to Washington, to the United States.  New Zealand and the United States are the closest of partners, and we’re working together to support and advance a free and open, resilient Indo-Pacific region.  And I also very much appreciate the focus that we both bring to working with our friends in the Pacific Islands.But the work that we’re doing together with New Zealand is not simply bilateral, not simply regional; it’s increasingly global.  And New Zealand’s leadership on everything from supporting Ukraine against the aggression from Russia, the work there, its humanitarian support for people who so desperately need it in Gaza.  Just last week, we were together at the meeting of the NATO foreign ministers.In these and so many other endeavors, our countries are closely joined, because fundamentally we reflect and we seek to advance the same basic values and the same basic interests.  And in a challenging time and a challenging world, for the United States, there’s nothing better than having strong partners like New Zealand.  I couldn’t be more grateful for that, and Winston, to have you here today.FOREIGN MINISTER PETERS:  Well, thank you, Secretary General.  In a very extensive international series of meetings over a number of continents, we’re here now in Washington, and we’re pleased to be here, Secretary General.Amongst other things, so we are one of the few enduring democracies all these centuries, and we’ve got a lot to talk about that’s of mutual interest to not just ourselves but in the areas in which we live – for us, it’s the Indo‐Pacific in particular; the region that’s called the Blue Continent more closely associated with us as well.  But where we can possibly make progress together, making our efforts more influential and more meaningful, and that’s our purpose.  So I’m delighted to be here with my team.  Thank you very much.SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you.  Good to have you.  Thanks, everyone.
- Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Call with Australian and New Zealand Counterparts Office of the SpokespersonThe below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held a call today with Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade counterparts.  They discussed our ongoing cooperation to support a secure, prosperous, free and open Indo-Pacific region.  The parties also discussed how we can increase our coordination and cooperation to support Pacific Islands development aspirations as outlined in the Pacific Islands Forum 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
- Under Secretary Jenkins Travels to Australia and New Zealand Office of the SpokespersonUnder Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Canberra and Sydney, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand from March 4-8, 2024.While in Australia, March 4-6, Under Secretary Jenkins will advance conversations on arms control, international security, and AUKUS with Australian government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders. The Under Secretary will also celebrate International Women’s Day and continue to promote the importance of women in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and security leadership. Furthermore, Under Secretary Jenkins will meet with American business leaders in Australia, including The American Chamber of Commerce, to discuss views and perspectives on the strengths and opportunities for U.S.-Australia businesses.In New Zealand, March 7-8, Under Secretary Jenkins will promote the United States’ leadership in nonproliferation and disarmament and discuss the United States’ current Indo-Pacific strategies and regional security. The Under Secretary will attend events and hold meetings with government and non-governmental counterparts. In recognition of International Women’s Day, the Under Secretary will participate in several events to reinforce the importance of women in national security.
- New Zealand National Day Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateOn behalf of the United States of America, I send my best wishes to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand as you commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6.The United States recognizes the significance of this day and the ongoing dialogue it inspires. We reaffirm our shared commitment to diversity and building a more equitable future for all.Waitangi Day serves as a vital reminder of the deep bonds that connect the United States and New Zealand. For over 80 years, our relationship has flourished, grounded in shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We stand together as partners in the face of global challenges, collaborating on issues ranging from climate change and security to economic prosperity and scientific advancement. Our people-to-people ties are equally strong, fueled by shared interests in sports, art, culture, and education.As we look to the future, I am confident that the ties between our two nations will continue to strengthen. We remain committed to working alongside you, not only as partners but also as friends, as we strive for a safer, more prosperous, and equitable world for all. He waka eke noa – we’re all in this together.						Tags																					Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs																								New Zealand																								Office of the Spokesperson																								The Secretary of State
- U.S. Department of State Announces 2024 Spring Season of Next Level Office of the SpokespersonThe U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the 10th anniversary season of the Next Level international exchange program is underway.  A key part of the United States’ Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, Next Level sends American aerosol artists, beatboxers, beatmakers, dancers, DJs, and MCs to engage audiences globally through hip hop with an aim to promote peace and democracy namely through conflict resolution in communities around the globe.The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, launched by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in September 2023, aims to promote peace and democracy through music, and supports broader U.S. foreign policy goals to expand access to education, economic opportunity and equity, and societal inclusion.With the 2024 season already underway including workshops for underserved youth in Costa Rica, Olympic-focused programming in France, and a 10th anniversary event in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, American artists will teach and perform in nearly every region of the world during this spring season.  Next Level is implemented through a cooperative agreement with Meridian International Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.The 2024 Next Level spring season includes:Limón, Costa RicaDance: Kara Jenelle (Los Angeles, CA)MC: Queena Bergen (New Brunswick, NJ)Beatmaker: Rokmore (Houston, TX)Beatboxer: Exacto (New York, NY)Paris, FranceDance: Ken Fury (New York, NY)MC: Def-i (Albuquerque, NM)DJ: Amore Querida (New York, NY)Aerosol: Danielle Mastrion (New York, NY)Taoyuan, TaiwanDance: Dez (Washington, DC)MC: Rah Digga (Newark, NJ)DJ: Rugged One (Somerville, MA)Aerosol: Jurne (Oakland, CA)Bulawayo, ZimbabweDance: Lady Beast (Boston, MA)MC: Dee-1 (Boston, MA)DJ: Nick Neutronz (New York, NY)Beatmaker: Krithi (New York, NY)Auckland, New ZealandDancer: Lady Sol (Chicago, IL)MC: Dior Brown (Washington, DC)Beatmaker: SlopFunkDust (Tampa, FL)Aerosol: MAST (San Francisco, CA)For more information on the United States’ global efforts to promote peace and democracy through music, contact eca-press@state.gov.