Rutherford to head Human Rights Commission

David Rutherford has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

Mr Rutherford replaces Rosslyn Noonan, who is completing her second five-year term.

“Mr Rutherford has proven leadership abilities and creative and practical approaches which will help advance the understanding of human rights in New Zealand,” Mr Power said.

“He is especially interested in youth, Māori, and disability rights – the latter through his extensive involvement in the Special Olympics.”

Mr Rutherford will take up his role on 1 September.

Mr Power thanked Ms Noonan for her two terms as Chief Commissioner.

“Ms Noonan led the mainstreaming of human rights in the public service and has strongly advocated for the inclusion of human rights standards in major legislation.

“She strengthened the integrity and reputation of the commission and human rights protections both in New Zealand and internationally, and I thank her very much for her work."

Background:

David Rutherford is a sports and commercial lawyer, and was Chief Executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union from 1999 to 2002. For the past six years he has been involved with Special Olympics leadership. As a volunteer, he has chaired the New Zealand Special Olympics Board and been a member of the Special Olympics International Board. He is currently President and Managing Director of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific region.

Rosslyn Noonan was appointed Chief Commissioner in May 2001 and was re-appointed in 2006. She oversaw a broadening of the commission’s focus from anti-discrimination to a more general promotion and protection of human rights, including the integration of the race relations office into the commission. She has served as chair of the International Co-ordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

The Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity which has a wide range of functions and powers under the Human Rights Act 1993. The commission is made up of a Chief Commissioner, a Race Relations Commissioner, an Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, and up to five part-time Human Rights Commissioners.

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