As Jacinda Ardern mulls the formation of her next government, the Human Rights Commission has given New Zealand's re-elected prime minister a 39-point wish list for her second term.
The commission (HRC) issued a manifesto for Ms Ardern's government to "uphold promises made by successive New Zealand governments" in international forums which are yet to be met.
The laundry list includes specific requests like a national action plan against racism, free early childhood education, improved workplace standards and a raised minimum wage.
It also addresses general areas, such as more dignity for Kiwis on welfare, to look after the environment, and the first point, that "everyone should have a warm, dry, safe, decent home".
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said the requests came from stakeholders in the community and were eminently reasonable.
"We wanted to remind the incoming government of what we're hearing in communities and what is required of the government under international human rights law," he told AAP.
However, the public plea has reignited a debate over the role of the HRC in New Zealand.
The government-funded organisation is, unlike the similar Australian institution, an enthusiastic participant in public debate - often with major political fall-out.
Last week, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon suggested Maori be given the right to run their own prison system in the hope of reducing indigenous recidivism.
Thursday's wish-list has been heavily criticised by right-wing party ACT and the Taxpayers Union, a lobby group affiliated with the political right.
ACT leader David Seymour said his party would abolish the organisation, saying it has become "a highly-politicised left-wing organisation".
The opposition National party has not committed to ditching the HRC, but would reform it.
Neil Miller of the Taxpayer Union said suggestions to create a new holiday to commemorate the New Zealand Wars and to implement job targets for marginalised Kiwis "meander into areas well outside (the HRC's) ambit".
In response, Mr Hunt said he was only doing his job.
"We hugely esteem freedom of expression. I'm interested in their views," he said.
"But we're set up by an act of parliament which tells us to advance, promote and protect human rights so that's exactly what we're doing."
Ms Ardern - who has not spoken publicly in over a week as government negotiations with the Greens occur behind closed doors - has not commented on the report.
Many of the HRC's policy positions are reflected in Labour's policy manifesto, issued days before its mammoth victory in the October 17 election.
Australian Associated Press
