28 Oct 2021

Retiring Childrens' Commissioner - 'We must do better'

From Nine To Noon, 9:09 am on 28 October 2021
No caption

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Judge Andrew Becroft retires tomorrow as Commissioner for Children after five years in the job he says he's given everything to. He says while some progress has been made, far too many tamariki experience abuse, neglect, poverty, and poor health and education outcomes. Judge Becroft has long campaigned for an end to Oranga Tamariki youth justice facilities which he says cause more harm than good. He's also strongly advocated for a self contained stand, alone youth court for everyone under 18, a rise in the minimum age of criminal responsibility from the current age of 10, and far more "by Maori for Maori" initiatives. He speaks with Kathryn Ryan.