Meng Foon appointed next Race Relations Commissioner

Mr. Foon will take up his new appointment on 26 August 2019 and will be responsible for leading the work of the Human Rights Commission in promoting positive race relations.

Retiring Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon has been appointed the next Race Relations Commissioner, Justice Minister Andrew Little announced today.

Mr. Foon will take up his new appointment on 26 August 2019 and will be responsible for leading the work of the Human Rights Commission in promoting positive race relations.

"I would like to congratulate Meng on his appointment," said Andrew Little.

"He has an outstanding record as a relationship builder and walks comfortably in the pākehā world, the Māori world, the Chinese community and other communities making up New Zealand.

"Race relations is a priority area for the Human Rights Commission. We need to continue to break down barriers to racial and ethnic equality in New Zealand society.

"This is an exciting appointment to a role that presents enormous challenges but tremendous possibilities," Andrew Little said.

The Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity that works with Government and civil society to promote respect for human rights, encourage harmonious race relations and equal employment opportunities, and to resolve complaints about discrimination and related issues.

The process and panels used to appoint Commissioners are independent and complies with the Paris Principles. The leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament were consulted on the appointment process.

"It is regrettable that the appointment of the Race Relations Commissioner has been delayed as long as it has been," said Andrew Little.

"At the end of last year, an unsuccessful applicant in an earlier round sought an injunction to stop the appointment process. When that did not succeed the same person seeking judicial review of the process earlier this year. The decision on that was finalized in May[1]. The Governor-General accepted the recommendation to appoint Mr. Foon this week.

"It has been a long wait but I am confident this is an excellent appointment," Andrew Little said.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)