Dr Claire Achmad
Te Kaikōmihana mō ngā Tamariki | Children’s Commissioner
Dr Claire Achmad is a recognised advocate for children in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, having worked in a wide range of areas relating to children's rights, including from legal, policy and practice perspectives. Claire took up the role of Chief Children's Commissioner on November 1, 2023, and became Children's Commissioner on August 1, 2025.
Our role in the oversight system
We promote the rights, interests, participation and wellbeing of mokopuna, including those in the oranga tamariki system. This includes helping mokopuna and their whānau to resolve issues, which might involve connecting them with appropriate agencies and organisations.
Our tohu
Our tohu is an expression of what we stand for and the work we do. It references the whakapapa of the Mana Mokopuna framework while reflecting our aspirations for all mokopuna in Aotearoa.
Placing the pītau (unfurling fronds of the fern) within the hue (gourd), this tohu represents a safe and protected community that exists within an abundant and flourishing environment. Hue have a special connection to whakapapa and childbirth, music and peace. The use of mangōpare (hammerhead shark pattern) speaks of courage, strength and resilience.
Our blue and green tohu references Ranginui and Papatūānuku – sky father and earth mother - with a slice of light in between representing the space for mokopuna to thrive and grow.
Te moemoeā
Our vision, values and priorities
Kia kuru pounamu te rongo | All mokopuna live their best lives
Our vision is for every child in Aotearoa, regardless of their background, to grow up knowing they belong with their whānau and have what they need to live their best life. It also means mokopuna have a say about what really matters for them, and that their rights are honoured by those in power.
We have a tikanga framework with four principles: Aroha, Pono, Tika, and Mātauranga.
We have set four proactive strategic advocacy areas for and with mokopuna: Strong start in life, Thriving families and whānau; Growing up safe and well; and Participating in what matters to me.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
We are committed to recognising and implementing the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We are working towards reflecting the true intention of te Tiriti o Waitangi in everything that we do.
Ngā kōrero
Our history
Mana Mokopuna - Children's Commissioner was established on August 1, 2025, replacing the board of six Commissioners governing the then Children and Young People's Commission established on July 1, 2023.
The role of Children’s Commissioner was established in 1989 to be an independent advocate for children. Since 1989, there have been twelve Commissioners, all unified with an unwavering commitment to confront the systemic issues children are affected by but do not have a voice in changing.
Work with us
Current vacancies at Mana Mokopuna - Children's Commissioner
Our commitment to Kia Toipoto
Our organisation is committed to meeting the milestones of Kia Toipoto - the Public Service Gender, Māori, Pacific, and Ethnic Pay Gaps Action Plan 2021-24.
Under Kia Toipoto, agencies and entities need at least 20 employees in each comparative group to publish statistically robust pay gaps, while also protecting the privacy of employees. We are a small organisation, meaning publishing pay gap data risks breaching the privacy of our kaimahi. We are, instead, using the data we have and employee engagement to develop our first Kia Toipoto Action Plan, which you can find here.
Our secondary legislation
This link takes you to a page where you can find the secondary legislation we are responsible for.
Mana Mokopuna Information Rules are used to help us protect people's privacy while enabling us to do our work. They are the only secondary legislation required under our Act.