Indigenous people

We recognise indigenous people as the first occupiers of land, and
we recognise also the rights and responsibilities which flow from that.
- New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 2010

Indigenous people, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, have faced many historic injustices.  While progress has been made in recognising human rights concerns, achieving improved human rights outcomes for indigenous people remains a concern in Caritas’ domestic and international work.

Caritas works to recognise and respect the rights of indigenous people at home and abroad.  This has included advocating for New Zealand to sign up to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, which was achieved in 2010.

• NZCBC: Indigenous rights, 2008