Manukau District Court Judge Frances Eivers has been appointed the new Children's Commissioner.
Incoming Children's Commissioner Judge Frances Eivers takes over the role from 1 November. Photo: Supplied
Judge Eivers, Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato, has also worked in the family and youth courts in south and greater Auckland, and is set to take over the role from Judge Andrew Becroft from 1 November for two years.
Before becoming a judge she was a private practice lawyer in London and New Zealand, with a focus on family, youth and criminal law.
Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced the appointment this morning - saying Eivers had a deep understanding of the issues facing tamariki and of related legal frameworks - and thanked Judge Becroft for his work.
"Since 2016, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of our children and young people and the lives of many young people are better because of his work," Sepuloni said.
The minister also highlighted coming changes to the role, which would see monitoring activities transferred to a separate independent children's monitor set up under the Oranga Tamariki Act.
"I'm very pleased to appoint Judge Eivers to the role at this time of change, and I am sure she will do an excellent job approaching the role in a careful, considered and thoughtful manner."
Judge Eivers will resign from her role as Chair of the Sacred Heart College Board of Trustees to take up her new position, which will see her act as an independent advocate to the government for children and young people.