Children and Young People's Commission

Logo of the Children and Young People's Commission

Children and Young People's Commission (Mana Mokopuna) is an independent Crown entity established by the New Zealand Government 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.^[1] The Commission consists of the fulltime Chief Children's Commissioner and five part-time Commissioners.^[2]

Leadership and functions

The Commission is an independent Crown entity consisted of the Chief Children's Commissioner and five Commissioners. As of December 2023, Maka Mokopuna's membership consists of the Chief Children's Commissioner Dr. Claire Ahmad, Deputy Children's Commissioner Donna Matahaere-Atariki, and Children's Commissioners Dr. Julie Wharewera-Mika, Ronelle Baker, and Josiah Tualamali'i.^[1]

The Commission's regulatory framework is the Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022^[3] and the companion Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022.^[4] Under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki Act, the Commission retains the responsibility to monitor Oranga Tamariki's youth residences under the Optional Protocol on 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.^[4] The Commission focuses more on advocacy for children and young people.^[5]

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.^[6][7][8]

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. Ahmad, who was joined by Matahaere-Atariki, Dr Wharewera-Mika, Tualamali'i, and Baker as board members.^[2][5]

Between 13 and 15 February 2024, the Mana Mokopuna conducted an unannounced visit to Oranga Tamariki's Whakatakapokai youth justice residence in South Auckland. 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 either 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.^[9]

References

1. "About us". Mana Mokopuna. 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
2. "Government strengthens advocacy for all children with new Commission". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
3. Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022 (Act of Parliament, Public Act 2022 No 44). New Zealand Parliament. 29 August 2022. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
4. Hill, Ruth (23 June 2023). "New monitor promises to be vigilant over Oranga Tamariki". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
5. "Children's Commissioner no more as new oversight Children and Young People's Commission launches". The New Zealand Herald. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
6. Palmer, Russell (24 August 2022). "Labour passes Oranga Tamariki reforms despite opposition from other parties". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
7. Witton, Bridie (24 August 2022). "Oranga Tamariki oversight bill passes third reading". Stuff. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
8. Sepuloni, Carmel (24 August 2022). "Government strengthens oversight for children in state care". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
9. Dillane, Tom (18 July 2024). "Damning report into Auckland Oranga Tamariki Whakatakapokai facility alleges staff on 'room visits' assaulting children". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

External links

Official website