On Tuesday 9 April the Court of Appeal will hear queer theologian Russell Hoban's appeal in Hoban v Attorney-General.
Hoban is seeking a "declaration of inconsistency". He is asking the court to declare that the legislative exclusion of
hate speech protection on the ground of sexual orientation (in the Human Rights Act 1993) is inconsistent with the right
to be free from discrimination (in the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990).
Russell Hoban will be represented by three lawyers; the Crown (through the Attorney-General) is opposing the issuing of
a declaration. The Human Rights Commission is also intervening in the case.
Hoban has been in the courts challenging Aotearoa’s out dated hate speech legislation for almost five years. Current
provisions do not extend protections to rainbow groups.