Her Honour Judge Frances Eivers (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato) is our current Children's Commissioner, taking on the role from 1 November 2021. Before being appointed Commissioner, she was a Judge in the District Court in Manukau, working extensively with mokopuna in the court system. She has worked as a lawyer in Auckland, Whakatāne, London and Tauranga. In New Zealand, she practised mainly in the Family, Youth and Criminal courts, including working as a lawyer for children and as a youth advocate.

Born in Kawerau and raised in Te Teko, she counts herself lucky to have been raised with love in her whānau whānui and to have had a community where “everyone pretty much knows everyone”. She is a mother of three sons and counts this as her greatest achievement.

She believes that every child is a gift: he mokopuna, he taonga. If every child is treated as a gift, a treasure, then every New Zealander would ensure that the welfare of children is at the heart of every decision that affects them and their families. Her initial priorities as Commissioner are advocating on mental wellbeing, family violence and education.

Judge Eivers' EA is Natasha Hohaia. Contact Natasha by email if you would like to invite Judge Eivers to an event.