Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust Iwi Community Panel Co-ordinator Mana Wright will represent New Zealand at the 63rd Session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland next week.
Mana Wright, 25, has been selected to attend through the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples on the basis of the work Nga Kete is doing in collaboration with the NZ Police, developing alternative resolution processes that seek to reduce Maori and community entry into the criminal justice system for low-level offending.
Mr Wright will have the opportunity to participate around issues of economic, social and cultural rights presenting a New Zealand perspective.
Mr Wright is excited about the opportunity because of his studies in politics and philosophy at Otago University.
“Participating in a United Nations conference has been a long-standing ambition of mine.”
“It gives me an opportunity to see how our government is implementing the articles of the UN covenant on social, economic and cultural rights to see what criticisms and compliments their committee has for our Government, and to see how myself and our organization could further implement these articles in our day-to-day work.”
NKMP CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha says Nga Kete celebrates the fact that a young man from Invercargill will gain exposure to the world stage and have an ability to contribute.
“Invercargill is such a diverse city of skill so what an amazing opportunity for us to be able to participate in a forum on the world stage regarding the rights and equality for all people.”
Police Deputy Chief Executive Maori/Assistant Commissioner Wally Haumaha says “this is a fantastic opportunity for Mana, to not only represent his Iwi, his whānau and his mahi, but also to represent the partnership that has been established between Iwi and Police to deliver the indigenous response that Iwi Community Panels are. “
“I wish him a safe and successful trip.”
Mr Wright will attend the conference during the days New Zealand is being examined by the committee, 20 March 2018 to 23 March 2018.