Children and Young People’s Commission - Budget 2023

Establishing and supporting the new Children and Young People’s Commission to advocate for New Zealand’s children and young people - Wellbeing Budget 2023.

This initiative will establish the Children and Young People’s Commission and strengthen system-level advocacy for children and young people.

The Government is investing an additional $32.585 million over five years (with funding from 2024/25 and outyears to be held in a tagged contingency) to establish the Children and Young People’s Commission and maintain the ongoing operation of the new entity, which takes over the advocacy role of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. The funding will support the Commission to be a strong advocate, with the flexibility, diversity, and mana to genuinely speak for our children and young people.

• Under the Children and Young People’s Commission Act 2022, the Children’s Commissioner will move from a single Commissioner to a Board.
• The Board will consist of a Chief Commissioner and up to five additional part-time Commissioners. The Board will allow for a wide range of skills and experience to be represented in the Board’s membership, and will help to support greater Māori representation and expertise within the Board.
• Budget 2023 will implement the new Board structure and ensure that the new Commission is appropriately resourced to meet its legislative obligations and can advocate effectively for children and young people.
• The Commission’s responsibilities include giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to improve the wellbeing of children and young people, to build and maintain relationships with hapū, iwi, Māori organisations, and setting strategic priorities that support improved outcomes for Māori children and young people.
• The Commission has an increased duty of advocacy, ensuring the participation and the voices of mokopuna are included, as well as continuing to fulfil its obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) to monitor children and young people in places of detention.

*Funding from 2024/25 and outyears will be held in a tagged contingency