Part-time Human Rights Commissioner appointed
Associate Justice Minister Lianne Dalziel today announced the appointment of Richard Tankersley as a part-time Human
Rights Commissioner.
The Human Rights Commission is made up of a full-time Chief Commissioner, a full-time Race Relations Commissioner, a
full-time Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, and up to five part-time Commissioners.
The Commission operates under the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1993. Its core functions include providing human
rights education, producing resources, inquiring into and reporting on human rights matters and resolving disputes
relating to discrimination.
Mr Tankersley is currently a team leader at Glenelg Children's Health Camp. In 2005/06 he was employed as a project
worker with the Alcohol Drug Association of New Zealand and in the two years prior to that he was Assistant Regional
Manager with the Chief Electoral Office. His early career was in a variety of mental health sector positions. Mr
Tankersley is of Ngai Tahu descent and is a licensed lay minister of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand. He
holds a BA in English and a certificate in Community Psychiatric Care.
Lianne Dalziel welcomed Mr Tankersley's appointment saying that in addition to the broad experience he has in the mental
health sector she was pleased to note that he will also provide the Commission with South Island representation.
"Mr Tankersley has the experience and standing to make a significant contribution to the work of the Commission and I am
delighted by his appointment," Lianne Dalziel said.
ENDS