Established in December 2001, the Human Rights Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand is an independent, non-governmental organisation dedicated to defending and promoting human rights and freedoms for all people in New Zealand.

Our mission is to promote and protect human rights in Aotearoa through independent research, education, and advocacy, holding the government and other duty-bearers accountable to their obligations.

Our vision is for an Aotearoa New Zealand that fully respects, protects, and fulfils human rights for all, honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Our work is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties to which New Zealand is a party. Operating independently allows us to provide impartial monitoring and advocacy.

We focus on creating systemic change and raising public awareness through advocacy, research and monitoring, education, and international engagement.

We advocate for changes to laws, policies, and practices that don't align with international human rights standards through parliamentary submissions, meetings with officials, and campaigning.

We conduct rigorous, evidence-based research into human rights concerns, monitoring the country's performance and providing recommendations for improvement.

We develop resources and deliver programmes to improve human rights literacy, empowering people to claim their rights and respect the rights of others.

We also engage with United Nations human rights bodies to provide independent information for their reviews of New Zealand's human rights record.