Youth charities say they are “incredibly disappointed” at Claire Achmad not being reappointed Childrens Commissioner, effectively reducing her original term by two-and-a-half years.
The Herald understands Achmad reapplied for her role but was not selected, despite many children’s organisations holding her in high esteem.
A petition has now been created by youth advocates who are pushing to keep Achmad in the role.
Nikita Van Dijk said she and petition co-creator Jaden Movold were “distraught and angry” when they found out Achmad’s term as commissioner would be finishing at the end of the month.
“Her [original] appointment was supposed to last five years, so it’s been cut ... short, which erodes trust in an already vulnerable community,” she said.
While other commissioners had “led from a distance” and “said a whole lot without being seen”, Van Dijk said Achmad was “on the ground with youth all the time” and had a “grassroots leadership style”.
Movold said Achmad was an “exceptional” Children’s Commissioner.
He knew her in his capacity as a disabled youth advocate, and praised her for always remembering their prior conversations, following up on the things they discussed and reflecting youth experiences in her recommendations to Government.
“This petition isn’t simply about keeping one person in a role,” he said.
“Youth did not have a genuine opportunity to be heard about who represents them and who fights for their rights,” Van Dijk added.
Movold and Van Dijk said their concern was not with incoming Children’s Commissioner Jane Searle, but with the loss of continuity and the lack of consultation with young people who viewed Achmad as a trusted advocate.
Minister declines to explain decision
Achmad was made Chief Children’s Commissioner in 2023 for a five-year term.
It made her one of five commissioners that sat on the Children and Young People’s Commission, which was abolished by the current Government last year through the passing of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill.
The Bill fullfilled part of the Act-National coalition agreement.
In a press release at the time, Minister for Social Development Louise Upston announced Achmad would continue in her role until July 31, 2026 to oversee the transition from a panel of commissioners to a sole commissioner.
“By returning to a single Children’s Commissioner, the Bill makes it crystal clear to children and young people who their advocate is,” Upston’s press release read.
Advocates questioned why Achmad, who went from the chief commissioner to the only commissioner, was not allowed to see through her full term until 2028.
Instead, a different Children’s Commissioner was chosen for a new five-year term this year.
The Herald understands Achmad applied for the role but was not selected.
Upston did not respond to the Herald‘s questions about Achmad, instead pointing to a press release from earlier this month where she said Achmad had “led the organisation through a period of significant change, and passionately championed children’s rights”.
“I thank her for her dedication and wish her very well for the future,” the statement said.
Achmad declined to give the Herald comment but said she had “really hoped she would get to continue to serve [rangatahi]” as Children’s Commissioner in a video posted to the Commission’s social media pages.
Children’s charities weigh in on Achmad’s departure
Safeguarding Children Aotearoa chief executive Willow Duffy called Achmad “incredible” and said she was “exactly what a Children’s Commissioner could be”.
“I’m incredibly disappointed that she won’t be continuing.”
Duffy said she “loved working with Achmad”, who was “always approachable and available”.
She was aware of the petition to keep Achmad and said she “understood [young people] putting their voice to their disappointment”.
Duffy said she looked forward to working with the incoming Children’s Commissioner and wished her the best with her new role.
VOYCE Whakarongo Mai posted on social media to acknowledge Achmad’s “profound advocacy for tamariki and rangatahi in care”.
“Claire has brought warmth, integrity and an unwavering commitment to children’s rights,” their LinkedIn post read.
The charity said Achmad would show up wherever young people gathered and created spaces where they could be heard, always asking the question: “What do our young people need me to hear?”
Janhavi Gosavi is a Wellington-based journalist for the New Zealand Herald who covers news in the capital.