A/HRC/41/4/Add.1 Persons with disabilities 52. New Zealand is working towards a society where persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to achieve their goals. 53. The Disability Strategy 2016-2026 guides the Government’s work and the implementation of CRPD. New legislation aims to strengthen rights of children, particularly in state care. 54. The Government is transforming the disability support system and is committed to an inclusive and accessible education system, including through the Disability and Learning Support Action Plan. 55. The Government is committed to improving the welfare system and also funds programmes to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health issues. Accepted: 30, 156–162 Indigenous rights and ethnic minorities 56. New Zealand is a multicultural nation. We continue to focus on reducing disparities for Māori and other ethnicities. Three specific government agencies promote the interests of Māori, Pacific peoples and other ethnic communities through programmes and frameworks for inclusion, wellbeing and engagement. 57. The 1840 Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) is a founding constitutional document. It is the agreement between New Zealand’s indigenous people (Māori) and the Crown. The Government takes its obligations under Te Tiriti seriously. 58. The Government established a new agency – the Office for Māori Crown Relations Te Arawhiti, operational since January 2019. It is tasked with completing historical settlements and ensuring their durability. It will also enable stronger partnerships with Māori across Government to improve outcomes for Māori. 59. Work is underway towards a comprehensive national plan setting out how New Zealand regulations align with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It will take into account Te Tiriti principles and highlight areas for improvement. 60. Improving Māori health outcomes is a priority. A dedicated Māori Housing Unit works with Māori to improve housing opportunities. The refreshment of the Māori Language in Education Strategy will strengthen the protection of Te Reo (Māori language). 61. Amended legislation sets specific duties for Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children in relation to Te Tiriti. These duties include reducing disparities for Māori children in care, developing strategic partnerships with iwi (tribal) and Māori organisations, and reporting annually on the impact of measures to improve outcomes for Māori. 62. Further work to address disparities of ethnic minorities includes a Pacific health plan being developed with a broad focus (e.g. including housing), and the Tertiary Education Strategy which will emphasise equity and better support the aspirations of Māori and Pacific peoples. 63. Māori, Pacific and Asian population groups are represented in Parliament. National and local electoral laws establish, and provide options respectively, for particular electoral arrangements for Māori. Local governments must also enable Māori participation in decision-making. The Ministry of Māori Development provides advice on government board candidates and advisory groups to enhance Māori participation. Accepted: 103, 163–183 7