The incoming Children's Commissioner says law changes on their own won't improve rates of child abuse, neglect and poverty.
Principal Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft will take over from Russel Wills, whose term ends in July.
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley said Judge Becroft's input will be invaluable as Child, Youth and Family goes through a period of major change.
Judge Becroft said he was keen to see those changes so the system can work better for children who come into contact with it.
But he said there also needed to be a broader community conversation about why New Zealand has allowed its child abuse and poverty rates to get so high.