Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity whose primary functions are set out in the Human Rights Act 1993 as:

(a) to advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand society; and
(b) to encourage the maintenance and development of harmonious relations between individuals and among the diverse groups in New Zealand society.

Since 1994 discrimination against people with disabilities has been unlawful in a number of areas including access by the public to places, vehicles and facilities and in the provision of goods and services.

Many people with disabilities rely on public land transport as their only means of transport. The lack of an accessible public land transport system is often a significant barrier to full participation in employment, education, recreation, community activities and other activities that the non-disabled community take for granted.

The Commission has received a significant number of complaints, inquiries and representations that suggest some elements of the public transport system may not be accessible to people with disabilities. The Commission has been able to resolve some of these issues using the disputes resolution processes contained in the Human Rights Act 1993. However, many of the issues brought to the Commission require a systemic approach to facilitate nationwide access to public land transport services for people with disabilities.

Many government policy documents recognise inclusion, full participation in society, and the removal of barriers to participation as key policy objectives for people with disabilities. For example, the New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS) recognises that in order to contribute to the objective of supporting quality living in the community for disabled people, the government will require all new scheduled public transport to be accessible, encourage the development of accessible routes to connect buildings, public spaces and transport systems and develop nationally consistent access to passenger services where there is no accessible public transport.

In addition to the NZDS other government policy documents that are relevant to the inquiry include:

• The New Zealand Transport Strategy;
• The New Zealand Positive Aging Strategy;
• Pathways to Inclusion: Improving Vocational Services for People with Disabilities;
• The New Zealand Health Strategy.

The Commission considers that an inquiry will establish the range of issues involved for the various public land transport users and providers; allow all those with an interest to express their views and incorporate best practice from other jurisdictions in any proposed solutions.

The Inquiry has sought input and submissions from throughout the country. In addition the Wellington and Otago regions were used as case studies to explore in greater depth the issues for public land transport users and potential users, the organisational responsibilities and responses to the issues and how particular regional circumstances are identified and responded to. For the purposes of this inquiry, only public land transport is included.