| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
House of Representatives
|
| Date of creation |
1986 |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
The Committee from time to time considers international aspects of human rights as part of its foreign affairs and immigration subject areas in particular. The Committee considers bills, petitions or other matters referred to it by the House, examines international treaties, on its own initiative may conduct inquiries. The Committee also scrutinises the performance of relevant departments and entities. |
| Membership |
Nine members appointed by the Business Committee of the House on the nomination of parties for the duration of the Parliament. |
| Working methods |
The Committee decides how it will proceed on matters referred to it by the House or with inquiries. Submissions from the public and interest groups are normally invited. Hearings of evidence are usually held in public. Meetings with visiting parliamentary delegations are likely to be private. Reports by the Committee are public documents. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
As a select committee, the Committee reports to the House. |
| Relations with external bodies |
Relationship with outside bodies: Most legislation is promoted by the Government. The Minister in charge of a bill is entitled to participate in committee proceedings. Departmental officials may be invited by the Committee to assist it as advisers. NGOs may also present evidence. |
| Subjects dealt with |
The Committee initiated an inquiry into the role of human rights in foreign policy (in the previous Parliament, 2000); considered the International Crimes and International Criminal Court Bill (2000); examined the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Optional Protocol; and reported on a petition concerning continued imprisonment by Israel of a New Zealand national kidnapped and tried after disclosing nuclear secrets (June 2002). Right now the Committee is in the midst of consideration of 2007/08 financial reviews of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Defence, NZ Defence Force, NZ Antarctic Institute, and Customs Service. They are also considering an international treaty on the ASEAN-Australia-NA Free Trade Area, and continuing their Inquiry into New Zealand's Relationship with South Pacific countries. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. John Hayes |
| Notes |
Chairperson |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+64 4 817 90 96
|
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
john.hayes@national.org.nz |
| Website |
www.johnhayes.co.nz
|
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Mr. ... ... |
| Notes |
Clerk |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+64 4 817 95 20
|
| Fax |
+64 4 499 04 86 |
| E-mail |
select.committees@parliament.govt.nz |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
