The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) is a comprehensive international human rights document on the rights of Indigenous peoples. It covers a broad range of rights and freedoms, including the right to self-determination, culture and identity, and rights to education, economic development, religious customs, health and language.

Cabinet Papers

In December 2022 Cabinet noted that no draft Declaration plan had been agreed and time had run out for public engagement in 2022 as had initially been planned. Cabinet agreed to defer a report back on a draft Declaration plan until early 2024. The report back was subsequently cancelled in March 2024.
Cabinet paper - United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Plan: Report Back on Development

In April 2022 Cabinet received the Māori targeted engagement feedback and agreed the process for drafting a Declaration plan
Cabinet paper - Update on the development of the Declaration Plan

In June 2021 Cabinet approved the next steps for developing a Declaration plan.
Cabinet Paper - Next steps for Declaration plan.

In March 2019, Cabinet approved a process to develop a Declaration plan. 
Cabinet Paper - Developing a Plan on New Zealand’s Progress on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Background Information

When was the Declaration adopted?

The Declaration was adopted on 13 September 2007 as a non-binding, aspirational declaration of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

It records the standards and aspirations of governments and Indigenous peoples in achieving harmonious and cooperative relations, pursued in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect.

Its 46 articles cover all areas of human rights and interests as they apply to Indigenous peoples.

Key themes include:

• equality and non-discrimination
• education, information and labour rights
• rights around lands, territories and resources
• rights to cultural, religious, spiritual and linguistic identity, and self-determination.

The Treaty and the Declaration

In keeping with our commitment to human rights, and Indigenous rights in particular, New Zealand’s support for the Declaration must be understood with reference to our existing legal and constitutional circumstances, of which Te Tiriti o Waitangi is an important part.

You can read New Zealand's Statement of support here.

New Zealand participation in international forums

Key engagements with international forums are with:

• Special Rapporteurs on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: these are independent experts mandated by the United Nations (UN) to inquire into specific issues and/or countries within the scope of special procedure mechanisms determined by the UN Human Rights Council.
• the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: EMRIP is a United Nations expert body that provides the Human Rights Council with expertise and advice on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Annual sessions are traditionally held in Geneva in July.
• the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: the Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the UN Economic and Social Council. Annual sessions of the Permanent Forum are traditionally held in New York in April and provide an opportunity for the members of the Permanent Forum, Indigenous peoples, States and non-government organisations to discuss high profile and emerging issues affecting indigenous peoples. The PFII is mandated to discuss Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.