Children and Young People's Commission (''Mana Mokopuna'') is an independent

Crown entity A Crown entity (from the Commonwealth term ''The Crown, Crown'') is an organisation that forms part of New Zealand's public sector organisations in New Zealand, state sector established under the Crown Entities Act 2004, a unique umbrella governa ...

established by the

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in July 2023 as a successor to the former Office of the Children's Commissioner. Like its predecessor, Mana Mokopuna advocates for children's rights in New Zealand, provides advice and guidance to the government and agencies, and lobbies for children in the decision-making process. The Commission consists of the fulltime Chief Children's Commissioner, a deputy, and three Commissioners.

Leadership and functions

Mana Mokopuna is an independent Crown entity. As of April 2025, it consists of the Chief Children's Commissioner Dr. Claire Achmad, Deputy Children's Commissioner Donna Matahaere-Atariki, and Children's Commissioners Dr. Julie Wharewera-Mika, Ronelle Baker and Josiah Tualamali'i. The Commission's regulatory framework is the Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022 and the companion Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022. Under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki Act, the Commission retains the responsibility to monitor Oranga Tamariki's youth residences under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), including the use of both planned and unplanned visits. The Commission also works with the Independent Children's Monitor, which also assumed the monitoring functions of the former Office of the Children's Commissioner. The Commission focuses more on advocacy for children and young people.

History

On 24 August 2022, the Sixth Labour Government passed the Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022, which replaced the Office of the Children's Commissioner with the Children and Young People's Commission. The law change was opposed by all parties, excepted the governing Labour Party. The Commission formally came into existence on 1 July 2023, assuming the functions of the Office of the Children's Commissioner. The last Children's Commissioner, Judge Frances Eivers, served as the first Chief Children's Commissioner until 31 October 2023. She was succeeded by Dr. Achmad, who was joined by Matahaere-Atariki, Dr Wharewera-Mika, Tualamali'i, and Baker. Between 13 and 15 February 2024, Mana Mokopuna conducted an unannounced visit to Oranga Tamariki's Whakatakapokai youth justice residence in

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. On 30 June 2024, Mana Mokopuna released a report alleging that staff members physically assaulted residents, engaged in inappropriate relationships, supplied them with contraband, and tolerated a culture of bullying and violence among the residents. Between October 2023 and February 2024, there were more than 20 recorded incidents of residents being found smoking or possessing drugs. By mid-July 2024, Mana Mokopuna's report had resulted in a Police investigation, a pause in admissions to the Whakatakapokai residence and the dismissal of several staff members.

References

External links

{{NZ Crown entities/Independent Crown entities

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New Zealand independent crown entities Ombudsmen in New Zealand 2023 establishments in New Zealand