Office of the Children's Commissioner

OCC's main responsibilities were to protect the rights, health, welfare, and wellbeing of minors under the age of 18 years.

These responsibilities included encouraging Oranga Tamariki to develop policies and services that meet the welfare needs of children and young people, and receiving reports from Oranga Tamariki inspectors visiting the homes of children in residential care at least once a year.

In addition, the Ombudsman's Office would also expand its portfolio to investigating complaints relating to children.

They expressed concerns that the Government's changes would reduce the office's ability to monitor the wellbeing of vulnerable children and advocate for their interests.

[12][13] Despite vocal civil society and political opposition, the Labour Party was able to use its parliamentary majority to push through two new laws replacing the Children's Commissioner with the Children and Young People's Commission and splitting oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system between the new Independent Monitor and Office of the Ombudsman.