The Government has closed applications for the position of Race Relations Commissioner after the role has remained vacant for more than nine months.
The process of appointing a new Commissioner, which was vacated by Susan Devoy in June last year, has been drawn out because of legal reasons.
But after the Christchurch terror attacks some – including the Auckland-based African Communities Forum – say it has taken too long for the role to be filled.
In July last year, Justice Minister Andrew Little appointed a three-member panel to select a new Race Relations Commissioner, Chief Human Rights Commissioner and Equal an Employment Opportunities Commissioner.
The positions of the latter two have since been filled, while Race Relations Commissioner has remained vacant.