Organizers of the Men’s Summit 2017 have reached a settlement after Mirimar Links Conference Centre cancelled the use of their venue in April at short notice on the grounds of feeling “uncomfortable” with men’s issues. The Human Rights Commission mediated the settlement and according to the Men’s Summit team this was the first time the Commission had supported a men’s group in applying the law to protect men and not only women from gender discrimination.

The settlement included an apology from Mirimar Links and several thousand dollars compensation. Men’s Summit organiser Kerry Bevin announced that these funds will help set up the Men’s Summit 2018. He said his team had accepted the apology and understood that it will take time for people to understand that gender discrimination laws apply to men and men’s groups and not only women.

Men’s rights advocate Bill Baldwin who was at the mediation said “This is a landmark win for men’s rights. It shows that denigration and discrimination contrary to the welfare of men and boys is unacceptable. Real gender equality requires respect for men’s rights which is NOT the norm at present.”

The men’s advocates believe other complaints to the Human Rights Commission are now likely and will help to counter femi-centric harm. Male denigration, father alienation and abuse of men’s rights drive high male suicide and families into violence and poverty, they claim.

Kerry Bevin asked “What about a Minister for Men in the new government, a Ministry for Men to balance policy and law? With many millions committed to women’s welfare there is an opportunity for New Zealand to lead the world again in gender equality with a commitment to the crucial issue of men’s welfare too.”

Men’s Summit 2018 will be held on Friday 6th April at Holiday Inn, Auckland Airport. The program will be announced in the new year.

Contact the Ministry of Men’s Affairs at 022 594 8093