High Court rules two commissioners were unlawfully appointed

Friday 19 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Fri 19 Dec 2025, 5:50pm

In this story High Court, Paul Goldsmith

The High Court has ruled that Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith unlawfully appointed Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby in August 2024. The court found the correct legal test was not applied. Both commissioners will remain in their roles while the minister considers an appeal.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZFri 19 Dec 2025, 3:05pm

   Goldsmith unlawfully appointed Human Rights Commissioner and Race Relations Commissioner (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldFri 19 Dec 2025, 5:50pm

   Paul Goldsmith unlawfully appointed Human Rights Commissioner and Race Relations Commissioner (opens in new tab)