Jane Searle is Aotearoa New Zealand’s Children’s Commissioner. She began her five-year term on 1 August 2026.

Prior to her appointment, Jane served as Chief Executive of Child Matters, a national child protection training and advocacy organisation dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Jane brings extensive experience across child protection, children’s rights, law, policing, investigations, advocacy, training and governance. Throughout her career, she has worked to strengthen the systems, services and responses that keep tamariki and rangatahi safe and uphold their rights and wellbeing.

Originally trained as a lawyer, Jane began her career practising law in the Bay of Plenty before joining New Zealand Police. During her policing career, she served on the frontline and as a detective in a child abuse team. She has also worked in the United Kingdom as a counter-fraud specialist and has served on Government and sector advisory groups, as well as governance boards.

As Children’s Commissioner, Jane is focused on ensuring that the rights, safety, wellbeing, and voices of all 1.2 million mokopuna in Aotearoa New Zealand remain central to the decisions, policies, and services that affect their lives.