Founded in 1977, the commission addresses issues of discrimination, equality, and human rights through education, advocacy, and resolving complaints.
[19] The report noted steady improvements in New Zealand's human rights record since 2004, but also "the fragility of some of the gains and areas where there has been deterioration.
[21] Sunday Star-Times journalist Harrison Christian had earlier reported a young American woman cut short her internship at the commission after she was groped by the organisation's chief financial officer at a work party.
[25] On 16 June 2023, Meng Foon resigned from his position as Race Relations Commissioner after failing to declare several conflicts of interest as required under the Crown Entities Act.
The Human Rights Commission had conducted an internal investigation into Foon's interests including emergency accommodation funding.
[28] On 16 August 2024, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith appointed several new leaders to the Human Rights Commission including former Wellington City Councillor and management professional Stephen Rainbow as chief human rights commissioner, Auckland University of Technology economics professor Gail Pacheco as equal employment opportunities commissioner, and University of Waikato education senior lecturer and New Zealand Free Speech Union member Melissa Derby as race relations commissioner.