Who are we?

Rights Aotearoa is a leading non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to promoting, defending, and upholding universal human rights. We work to ensure that all people, particularly those from marginalised communities, can live with dignity, equality, and freedom from discrimination.

We also uphold and defend the unique status of human rights for Māori in Aotearoa that derive from Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

A core part of our work is challenging hate speech and hate crimes, as the ability to live free from hate speech is a fundamental human right. We have a strong focus on LGBTQIA+ rights, particularly for transgender, non-binary, and intersex people, but we advocate for all groups affected by human rights violations. 

To achieve our mission, we: 

• Promote human rights as the foundation of a just, inclusive, and democratic society. 
• Defend human rights by advocating for stronger protections and challenging threats to fundamental freedoms. 
• Counter hate speech and hate crimes as human rights violations that silence marginalised voices and undermine equality. 
• Advocate for legal and policy reforms that strengthen human rights protections, including modernising the New Zealand Human Rights Act (1993). 
• Work with professional organisations to ensure human rights principles are embedded in ethical standards. 
• Take lawful action to challenge and de-platform hate speech. 
• Educate the public on human rights, the impact of hate speech, and the importance of legal protections. 
• Engage in limited lobbying (under 5% of our activities) to advocate for stronger human rights protections. 

We will defend and promote human rights through bold advocacy, support of strategic legal actions, and lobbying for substantial policy change. By promoting and protecting human rights, we strive for an Aotearoa where all people can participate fully, equally, and without fear. 

You can contact us at rights@rightsaotearoa.nz