Upcoming legislative changes to Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People’s Commission

The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill, focused on structural changes to the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System, has been introduced to the House and had its first reading today.

As signalled by our responsible Minister, Hon. Louise Upston, the Bill changes the structure of our Commission from an independent Crown entity with a Board to a sole corporation independent Crown entity (ICE) led by the Children’s Commissioner.

The legislation also makes our Oranga Tamariki Oversight System colleague, Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children’s Monitor, an ICE, rather than a departmental agency.

No changes are proposed to our Commission’s functions, responsibilities and the principles that guide our mahi, including our Treaty responsibilities, responsibilities to mokopuna Māori and our responsibilities relating to mokopuna in or who have been in care and/or custody. The Bill, if passed, will come into effect on 01 July next year (2025).

The Bill also includes detail about the continued tenure of our current Chief Children’s Commissioner, Dr Claire Achmad.

It states that once the changes come into effect to make our Commission a sole corporation ICE, Dr Achmad will become the first Children’s Commissioner under the amended legislation. The Bill states that her term in that role will run from 1 July 2025 to 1 July 2026.

“I am really pleased to have the opportunity to continue to advocate for and with all of our country’s mokopuna, as I have done since taking on the role of Chief Children’s Commissioner last November. I remain deeply committed to this mahi and know my Board colleagues do too. I am grateful for their ongoing dedication, expertise and support through this time of change, and their service to mokopuna in our work as Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People’s Commission.

“I am grateful to all the children and young people who I’ve met and heard from since taking on the role of Chief Children’s Commissioner, who have been instrumental in informing and shaping my advocacy on their behalf. I’m looking forward to meeting thousands more mokopuna in different corners of the motu in the coming years. It is a privilege to continue to serve mokopuna as their independent, visible advocate, amplifying their experiences, promoting their rights, providing specialist children’s rights advice to decision-makers and holding duty-bearers to account for progress on children’s rights,” says Dr Achmad.

“During this time of change, I will be continuing to provide strong and clear advocacy for the rights of all mokopuna – all children and young people – in Aotearoa New Zealand, including those in care and/or custody, working constructively alongside our Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System partners and all those across whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and Government who have a role in making Aotearoa New Zealand a country where all mokopuna have all of their rights upheld at all times, in all circumstances.”

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Editor’s notes

Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People’s Commission is currently an independent Crown entity, and is the independent advocate for all children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Chief Children’s Commissioner is the full-time, visible advocate for all children and young people, and is the Chair of the Mana Mokopuna Board.

Mana Mokopuna is one of the three organisations making up the oversight of Oranga Tamariki System, alongside Aroturuki Tamariki – Independent Children’s Monitor, and the Ombudsman.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Melissa Wastney
Senior Advisor Communications
Mana Mokopuna | Children and Young People's Commission
029 909 2715