New Zealanders' aspirations for a just society and global community

Building a better life has been the aspiration of settlers in Aotearoa since the arrival of the first waka.  Creating a just society has been the mission of countless New Zealanders over generations.

But how do we define a 'good life' or a 'just society' ?

During the 1940's, in the wake of the Great Depression and the Holocaust, New Zealanders played an active part in an international campaign to ensure a new world order based on recognition of the inherent dignity and rights of all human beings.  The result was a UN Charter that made 'promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all' a core principle of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948.

The Human Rights Network

The Human Rights Network is a meeting place for New Zealanders with an interest and commitment to human rights.

Available social research suggests New Zealanders have a commitment to human rights, yet the human rights movement in New Zealand has been fragmented, making it difficult to share information and ideas and to mobilise to meet human rights challenges.

A determination to establish a network infrastructure, the Human Rights Network, came about as a result of the experience of some individuals and organisations during the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998, and during the debate about the future of New Zealand's domestic human rights protections.

Through the Human Rights Network knowledge can be exchanged more often, news can be disseminated more widely and consultation can take place more easily. Where there is a need for collective action, mobilisation can take place with greater haste.

What the Human Rights Network offers

Bulletin

Information is currently shared via a weekly e-Bulletin sent by e-mail that directs members to relevant information on this website.

Web service

This site offers the ability to directly contribute news, events, documents, and links on human rights in Aotearoa/New Zealand and around the world.  You can also participate in discussion forums and collaborate with other members by joining workgroups. 

Regional Network Forums

Public meetings organised by local members of the Network take place in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.  For more information on forums or if you would like to organise a forum in another centre, contact admin@humanrights.net.nz.

Join the Human Rights Network!  Membership is free.  Read more about who can be a member.

Funding for the Human Rights Network

The Human Rights Network is funded by donations from members and grants.  The Human Rights Network Trust applies to funding agencies for grants to support the services provided by the Trust for the Network (eg. the web service including e-bulletin).

Find out more about funding the development and administration of the Network.

Read more about frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on these topics.