Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand (AIANZ) is a part of the Amnesty International network, and works to end human rights abuses.

The first New Zealand Amnesty group was founded in 1965, and the organisation was incorporated in 1966. Since being founded, the organisation has worked to free prisoners of conscience, fight human rights violations around the world, and promote human rights in New Zealand by lobbying and education. It describes itself as working for full human rights for everyone.

AIANZ acts primarily with a focus on rights within the Asia-Pacific region, and is secretariat for the Association of Commonwealth Amnesty International Sections. It is a consulting member of the Council for International Development and part of the Human Rights Network of Aotearoa New Zealand.

AIANZ's Chief Executive Officer is Patrick Holmes and the chairperson is Diana Pickard.

Campaigns

The organisation is currently active in campaigns to stop violence against women as part of an international campaign to see full human rights for everyone. The campaign calls on governments to take a stronger stand for women in cases of domestic and sexual violence.

Despite a narrow vote in favour, the AIANZ governing council decided not to support a controversial right to abortion proposed by their parent organisation, Amnesty International. Ced Simpson, former Executive Director of AIANZ stated that "It is not the practice of AINZ to adopt policy on very internally-contentious issues on...
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