Departing children's commissioner Claire Achmad has called rising child poverty "inexcusable" as she leaves a role she wanted to keep, saying she was given five weeks' notice and never told why she was not reappointed.
Achmad's term as the independent children's advocate ended on Friday after nearly three years. She said she felt sad because she had wanted to serve the full five years she signed up for, and had asked for feedback on the decision but received none.
She said child poverty had measurably worsened since 2022, with nearly 170,000 children living in poverty, and urged the government to lift benefits and wages.
"If we look at the data from 2022 until now, child poverty in New Zealand on the material hardship measure has got measurably worse, none of the child poverty reduction targets have been met," Achmad said.
"We are not on track to meet the 10-year targets, and that is inexcusable because there are choices that governments can make to prioritise children."
Children had told her their parents were working up to four jobs but still could not put kai on the table, heat the house or afford a doctor's visit.
Achmad calls for office to have greater independence
Last year the commissioner was put on a one-year term following a change to legislation, which axed the board and made Achmad a sole head of the independent Crown entity.
Jane Searle was announced as the new Children’s Commissioner in early July after a six-month long recruitment process. Searle was the chief executive of charity Child Matters for nine years and is a former NZ Police detective.
Claire Achmad spoke to Q+A about what an apology to survivors meant for the future. (Source: 1News)
Achmad has publicly criticised youth bootcamps, move-on orders and the proposed under 16 social media ban. When asked if being an independent voice had cost her job, she said: “I think I have been a fair and balanced critic where that has been required.”
The former commissioner found it “deeply problematic” that “there is such an affront to children’s rights”.
“How did we become a country where we are considering having move-on orders that will apply to children?
"Where children could be citizens’ arrested, where we are looking to legislate into law, military style academies as a youth justice response … they go completely against New Zealand’s duties and obligations under the Children’s Rights Convention."
Achmad said the role of the children’s commissioner includes holding governments of the day to account, so to ensure “total independence”, she has called for it to come under the Offices of Parliament, like the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Chief Ombudsman and Auditor-General.
These roles are appointed on the recommendation of the entire Parliament.
Meanwhile, a petition set up by young people Achmad has worked with, calling for Achmad’s reinstatement, was sitting at around 1100 signatures.
"What we see in this petition is that children and young people are saying, hey, this role exists to serve us, to work for and with us, to provide us with that independent advocacy and they’re saying we think we should have a say in how that decision is made,” she said.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston did not answer Q+A’s inquiry about why Achmad wasn’t reappointed.
A spokesperson referred Q+A to the minister’s press release from July 8, thanking Achmad for her dedication and advocacy on behalf of children, leading the organisation through a period of significant change and passionately championing children's rights.
For the full interview, watch the video above
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
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