New Chief Human Rights Commissioner and Key Leadership Appointments

In addition to Dr. Rainbow’s appointment, Dr. Gail Pacheco has been named the next Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced three significant leadership appointments within New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission, including the appointment of Dr. Stephen Rainbow as the new Chief Human Rights Commissioner.

Dr. Rainbow brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held various positions such as managing government relations for New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project, lecturing at Victoria University, serving as the Director of Urban Strategy at Wellington City Council, and acting as National Manager for the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. He also served as a Wellington City Councillor from 1989 to 1998 and has been an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, including his tenure as a board member of the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa.

In addition to Dr. Rainbow’s appointment, Dr. Gail Pacheco has been named the next Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner. Dr. Pacheco is a Professor of Economics and the Director of the NZ Policy Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology. Her extensive experience includes leading large-scale, multi-institutional funded projects for various government ministries and the Human Rights Commission.

The third key appointment is Dr. Melissa Derby, who will take on the role of Race Relations Commissioner. Dr. Derby is a senior lecturer at Waikato University, specializing in early literacy and human development, with a focus on the role of whānau in fostering foundational pre-literacy skills. Her work has earned her several accolades, including a Fulbright-Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Graduate Award.

Minister Goldsmith also expressed his gratitude to outgoing Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr. Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo, who has served as Acting Chief Commissioner and Acting Race Relations Commissioner over the past year.