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Individual rights & freedoms

Taking action: What you can do if you’re discriminated against

Taking your Complaint to the Office of Human Rights Proceedings

Human Rights Act 1993, s 20

The Office of Human Rights Proceedings (OHRP) is part of the Human Rights Commission but acts independently of it. The OHRP is headed by the Director of Human Rights Proceedings.

What can the Office of Human Rights Proceedings do about my complaint?

Human Rights Act 1993, ss 84, 90–92

The Office of Human Rights Proceedings can:

  • refer your complaint back to the Human Rights Commission
  • investigate your complaint further and try to help you and the other party come to a settlement
  • decide to take the case for you to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

What if the OHRP won’t take my complaint further?

If the Director of the OHRP decides not to take your complaint to the Human Rights Review Tribunal, you can take your complaint to the Tribunal yourself, but at your own cost.

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Discrimination

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide initial free legal advice and information.

Human Rights Commission

www.hrc.co.nz

Human Rights Commission InfoLine

Phone: 0800 496 877 (0800 4 YOUR RIGHTS)
Email: infoline@hrc.co.nz
Text enquiries: 0210 236 4253

A free phone and email information service that you can use for enquiries about your rights or to make a complaint under the Human Rights Act 1993.

Pamphlets

You can access pamphlets and fact sheets online or order hard copies from:
Phone: 0800 496 877
Email: resources@hrc.co.nz

Race Relations Commissioner

www.hrc.co.nz/your-rights/racial-discrimination

Phone: 0800 496 877

This section of the Human Rights Commission focuses specifically on ensuring people are not treated unfairly because of their race, ethnicity, skin colour or country of origin.

Human Rights Review Tribunal

www.justice.govt.nz/Tribunals/human-rights

This website provides information about the Tribunal and the hearing process and it also has forms, guides and information about fees.

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