New Zealand has a new Children’s Commissioner, with Jane Searle appointed to the independent role responsible for advocating for the rights, interests and wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston announced that Searle will begin her five-year term on 1 August 2026, succeeding Dr Claire Achmad, who concludes her tenure at the end of July.
Searle brings more than 15 years of experience working across the child protection sector. She has served as Chief Executive of Child Matters for the past nine years, following two years with the organisation before taking on the leadership role.
Her career also includes service as a New Zealand Police detective specialising in child protection, alongside experience as a barrister and solicitor. She has also contributed to numerous boards and specialist advisory groups focused on improving outcomes for children and young people.
The Government says Searle’s broad experience gives her a strong foundation to lead independent advocacy for children and young people at a time when issues such as child poverty, family violence, mental health and state care continue to demand national attention.
The Children’s Commissioner plays a key role in promoting children’s rights, advocating for better outcomes and ensuring young people’s voices are heard by decision-makers. The office also forms part of New Zealand’s independent oversight system for Oranga Tamariki, alongside the Independent Children’s Monitor and the Ombudsman.
For Māori communities, the appointment comes amid continuing concerns about the disproportionate number of tamariki Māori involved in the state care system and ongoing calls for culturally responsive approaches that strengthen whānau, whakapapa and community connections.
The role is expected to continue providing independent scrutiny of government policies affecting children while monitoring the experiences of those in care and advocating for improvements across health, education, justice and social services.
The Government also acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, thanking her for guiding the organisation through a period of significant change while maintaining a strong focus on protecting children’s rights.
During her term, Dr Achmad became a prominent voice on issues including child poverty, mental health, education, abuse in care and the importance of ensuring government decisions place children’s wellbeing at the centre.
As Searle prepares to take office, she will inherit responsibility for representing the interests of more than one million children and young people across Aotearoa, with expectations that the office will continue to provide independent advocacy and hold public agencies accountable for improving outcomes for tamariki.
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