A/HRC/41/2 535. The Government had conducted a ministerial inquiry into mental health and addiction. The inquiry looked at equity of access to services, better outcomes, and also covered suicide prevention. 536. The inquiry found inequalities within the system and mental health outcomes, especially for Māori. In response, the Government had committed to multiple actions, including the expansion of talk therapies, alcohol and other drug services, and culturallyaligned therapies. 537. The delegation indicated that, while it accepted the intent of many of the recommendations, a relatively small number (thirty-four) could not be formally accepted. These included recommendations concerning the themes of international instruments, abortion, and amending the Human Rights Act to include gender identity. While it did not reject the intention of any recommendation, New Zealand could not accept certain recommendations, because they depended on future decision-making according to the country’s constitutional processes. 538. The largest number of noted recommendations suggested signing or ratifying certain international treaties and withdrawing existing reservations. New Zealand could not bypass its domestic process of considering the implications of international conventions, including by Parliament, and therefore, was unable to accept these recommendations. 539. However, New Zealand would still consider acceding to additional international treaties, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocols to both the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Communications) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Furthermore, New Zealand would consider removing existing reservations. 540. Additionally, New Zealand would consider amending the Human Rights Act to include gender identity as a prohibited ground of discrimination. However, the recommendations related to gender identity had been noted because a government decision had not yet been made in relation to specific law changes. 541. The Government intended to introduce legislation to decriminalise abortion but could not commit to the specific models recommended. New Zealand acknowledged that protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights was a human rights priority and was developing a multi-sector Sexual and Reproductive Health Action Plan. Finally, the delegation addressed New Zealand’s international advocacy on human rights issues. New Zealand had recently adopted an International Human Rights Action Plan which set refreshed priorities for the next five years. The areas in which New Zealand will show leadership included gender equality and women’s empowerment, the rights of persons with disabilities, sexual orientation and gender identity, and abolition of the death penalty. These priorities were determined following an extensive consultation process. 542. New Zealand looked forward to continuing its work to improve human rights for all and welcomed the universal periodic review as a valuable part of this process. 2. General comments made by the national human rights institution of the State under review 543. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission (by video message) stated that 2019 would be remembered as one of the most challenging years in recent times for human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. It recalled that on 15 March, 51 people, including young children were martyred while worshipping at two mosques in Christchurch. The Commission commended the companionate leadership of the Prime Minister and noted the swift change to the country’s gun laws. The Commission also noted the introduction of New Zealand’s first Wellbeing Budget, focusing on improving measures of well-being 89