Joris De Bres

Joris De Bres is a former race relations commissioner and current chair of Project Crimson, which works to restore pohutukawa and rata to New Zealand’s forests and coastlines.

Society
Jan 14, 2021

SuperGold or SuperWhite? A call for a more Māori gold card

The lack of Māori language or symbolism on the SuperGold Card isn't just a design issue – it's emblematic of the overwhelming whiteness of Aotearoa's over-65 population.

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The Bulletin
Oct 13, 2020

The forest that's putting down roots for new New Zealanders

Last weekend the Queenstown community planted 1,000 trees to welcome new migrants to the region.

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Society
Jul 13, 2020

Our ethnic communities are not the government's free translation service

Why is the Office of Ethnic Communities looking for people to do its work for free, asks former race relations commissioner Joris de Bres.

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Politics
Jul 23, 2019

Why I refuse to appear before the inquiry into the Christchurch mosque attacks

At the core of the former race relations commissioner's concerns is engagement with affected Muslims. Read his letter, and the inquiry response.

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Parents
Jul 31, 2018

The girl with the broken bones goes home: an update

The family whose two children were taken by Oranga Tamariki has finally been reunited. Joris de Bres was there as the court ruling was made to return their daughter. 

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Parents
Jan 16, 2018

The baby with the broken bones: an update

The newborn baby taken from his parents by Oranga Tamariki at an Auckland hospital last year is coming home, but their daughter remains in state custody. Joris de Bres follows the family's fight to get their children back. 

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Parents
Oct 26, 2017

How a bruise saw a child almost taken from her family

Joris de Bres shares the story of a family who almost had their child, who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, taken away due to a bruise caused by that illness.

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Parents
Oct 16, 2017

The baby with the broken bones

A baby girl with broken ribs is taken into government care; 14 months later her newborn brother is also taken into custody at an Auckland hospital. But the case is not as simple as it seems, writes Joris de Bres.

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Science
Jun 3, 2017

Remember Arbor Day? It’s this weekend – and deserves to be a bigger deal

From optimistic beginnings in 1890, Arbor Day has fallen into semi-obscurity around the country. But there’s a very good reason why New Zealand needs this day, and more native trees, says Trees That Count ambassador Joris De Bres.

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