We advocate for the interests, rights and wellbeing of children and young people



Info 4 You

You might have some mahi kura (school work) to do at home, or some other patai (questions) that information on this page could help you with...   Nga patai me nga whakautu (Questions and answers)   TAHI: What does the Office of the Children's Commissioner do? We work to ensure that all children and young people in New Zealand are thriving.  Learn what our team does or read our latest annual report. You can also learn more about the Children's Commissioner and his team. RUA: Wha...

read more...


The Children's Convention's reporting cycle

Having ratified the Convention in 1993, New Zealand is obliged by international law to implement the Convention to the best of its ability.Five-yearly reporting to the United Nations                                There is a UN Committee that checks how well signatories are implementing the Convention.  It has a five-year reporting cycle which involves:the signatory (state party) providing information to the Committee the Committee examining the information a s...

read more...


2017 Mai World Culture Report

Child and youth voices on their positive connections to culture in Aotearoa

22 September 2017

Culture is an important part of who we all are. It gives us a sense of belonging, that others share our values and beliefs, to know who we are and where we come from.Culture includes all the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define our social groups – whether those are based on nationality, ethnicity, region or common interests.We know cultural identity is important for people’s sense of self, belonging and how they relate to others. A strong cultural identity can co...

Download (pdf 1.9 MB)

VIDEO: In My Mind: The Early Years

8 October 2017

This programme explores the issues around men's mental health, looking at where it all begins - in childhood.Judge Andrew Becroft is among the interviewees for this episode, produced by Attitude TV and screened on TV One on Sunday 8 October.Watch the programme: https://attitudelive.com/watch/In-My-Mind-The-Early-Years

read more...


VIDEO: NEXT Foundation - Is It All Won Or Lost By The Fifth Birthday?

30 June 2017

NEXT Outlook The Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft - It's All Won Or Lost By The Fifth Birthday - Extended Version from Next Foundation on Vimeo.

read more...


Cover page NOV 2017

Getting It Right

UNCROC Monitoring Group

13 November 2017

The report looks at how New Zealand is putting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Children’s Convention) into practice, and where it can do better.The report makes three recommendations that Government can put into place immediately:  • Make sure policy and legislative reform are child-centred and rights-based. Identify where children’s rights are not being met, what needs to be done,   who will do the work, timeframes for implementation and how the work will be monitored....

Download (pdf 841 KB)