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About the Office of the Children's Commissioner
The Office of the Children's Commissioner advocates for the best interests of all children and young people in New Zealand. The Office of the Children's Commissioner looks to ensure all of their rights are respected and upheld.
The Office of the Children's Commissioner was first established under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989. Since 2003, the Commissioner has been acting under a specific piece of legislation - the Children's Commissioner Act 2003. This Act enables the Children's Commissioner and his staff to promote the rights, health, welfare, and well-being of children and young people between the ages of 0 and 18 years. The Children's Commissioner Act also directs the Commissioner to promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC).
From its Wellington and Auckland offices, the Office of the Children's Commissioner works with other agencies from inside and outside of Government. The Children's Commissioner's work plan includes ongoing monitoring of the activities of New Zealand's statutory care and protection agency for children (Child, Youth and Family). The Commissioner also undertakes systemic advocacy functions and investigates particular issues compromising the health, safety, or wellbeing of children and young people. The Office of the Children's Commissioner cannot comment on any matter that is before any New Zealand court, including the Family Court.
The Children's Commissioner has the statutory responsibility to promote the practice of good participation mechanisms that allow children and young people to have input into issues that affect them. The Children's Commissioner Act 2003 requires the Children's Commissioner to practice these mechanisms within the the work of the Office of the Children's Commissioner. The Children's Commissioner has a Young People's Reference Group through which to regularly hear the voices of children and young people in the community. Additionally, the Office of the Children's Commissioner regularly meets other groups of children and young people, and operates a Child Right's Line so the public can contact the Office.
The Office of the Children's Commissioner is an independent Crown entity. This means the Commissioner is independent of Government. The Children's Commissioner is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the government of the day. The current Children's Commissioner is John Angus.
If you have concerns about the interests, rights, safety, welfare, or wellbeing of a child or young person, please visit the Advice section of this website. For further information or to make the Office of the Children's Commissioner aware of a particular issue, please contact us.