New Human Rights Commissioner appointed

  • Doug Graham
Justice

The Minister of Justice, Hon D.A.M. Graham, today announced the appointment of Areta Koopu of Rotorua as a Human Rights Commissioner.

Mrs Koopu's appointment is for five years. She succeeds Erihapeti Murchie who has not sought re-appointment.

Mrs Koopu is actively involved in health, education and welfare issues in the community. Her special areas of interest are Maori family life, bicultural development and the prevention of abuse of children and families.

She has been President of the Maori Women's Welfare League since 1993 and was its first National Vice-President from 1987 until 1992.

She has represented the League on the National Council on HIV/AIDS, the NZ Committee for Children, the NZ Maori Council, the National Health Promotion Forum and the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee.

Mrs Koopu has worked as an independent mediator for the Housing Corporation and as a national trainer of Family Court counsellors. She is a former community member of the State Services Review Panel.

Mrs Koopu has been actively involved in Marriage Guidance from 1976 until 1990.