October 08, 2021
Judge Frances Eivers new Children’s Commissioner
Frances Eivers from Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato has been appointed the new Children’s Commissioner.
The Manukau District Court judge will take up the role on November 1 on the retirement of Commissioner Andrew Becroft.
Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni says Judge Eivers has extensive experience in the rangatahi courts, as well as practicing law both in New Zealand and internationally.
She was born in Kawerau and grew up in Te Teko, and has the ability, and credibility, to walk in two worlds: te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā.
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner is about to undergo significant change, with monitoring activities under the Oranga Tamariki Act transferring to the Independent Children’s Monitor.
This will allow the commissioner to focus entirely on advocating for tamariki and rangatahi.