Dr Claire Achmad is an advocate for children, having worked in various areas relating to children's rights. She was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Children and Young People's Commission in July 2023 and, from November 1st, took up the role of Chief Children's Commissioner and Chair of the Commission for a five-year term.

From 2021 to 2023, Claire served as Chief Executive Officer of Social Service Providers Te Pai Ora o Aotearoa. She holds a doctorate in international children's rights law from Leiden University and has published internationally on various children's rights issues. She also holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Auckland and is on the University of Auckland's 40 Under 40 list. Previously, she has worked for children's NGOs and international organisations in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, held a senior role within the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and practised as in-house legal counsel in the New Zealand government. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2007.

Claire was born and grew up in the Waitākere Ranges, went to school in West Auckland, and is of New Zealand and Indonesian heritage. She holds a guest lecturer position in the Child Law Department of Leiden University and is a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network.

Dr Claire Achmad is an advocate for children, having worked in various areas relating to children's rights. She was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Children and Young People's Commission in July 2023 and, from November 1st, took up the role of Chief Children's Commissioner and Chair of the Commission for a five-year term. From 2021 to 2023, Claire served as Chief Executive Officer of Social Service Providers Te Pai Ora o Aotearoa. She holds a doctorate in international children's rights law from Leiden University and has published internationally on various children's rights issues. She also holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Auckland and is on the University of Auckland's 40 Under 40 list. Previously, she has worked for children's NGOs and international organisations in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, held a senior role within the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and practised as in-house legal counsel in the New Zealand government. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2007. Claire was born and grew up in the Waitākere Ranges, went to school in West Auckland, and is of New Zealand and Indonesian heritage. She holds a guest lecturer position in the Child Law Department of Leiden University and is a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network.

John Cowan hosts ‘Real Life’, a weekly nationwide chat show on Newstalk ZB featuring a different high-profile guest every week. John talks with them about their life, their upbringing, their passions and their view of the world.

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