Claire Achmad

Achmad has a Pākehā mother and a Javanese father. She grew up in the Waitakere Ranges, and was educated at Titirangi Primary School, Glen Eden Intermediate School, and Avondale College, where she was head girl in her final year. After completing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Auckland, Achmad earned a PhD titled ''Children's Rights in International Commercial Surrogacy: Exploring the Challenges from a Child Rights, Public International Law Perspective'' at the University of Leiden. == Career ==

Achmad worked in child advocacy for the Human Rights Commission, World Vision in Melbourne, UNICEF, and Barnardo's Aotearoa. Achmad is a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Leadership Network. In 2007 Achmad was named CLANZ-Bell Gully Young Corporate Lawyer of the Year. The University of Auckland included Achmad in their '40 under 40' profiles of young alumni "who continue to shine in both their professional and personal lives". Achmad was chief executive of the collective organisation Social Service Providers Te Pai Ora o Aotearoa from 2021 to 2023. She had been Deputy Children's Commissioner since July 2023. As Commissioner Achmad has expressed concerns about government plans to run military-style bootcamps for young offenders. In late June 2025, the Sixth National Government passed legislation abolishing the Children and Young People's Commission and reinstating the single Children's Commissioner, effective 1 August 2025. Under the new framework, Achmad remained as Children's Commissioner for at least one year. On 14 August, Achmad called for Gloriavale Christian Community's private school to be shut down after the school failed two consecutive Education Review Office reports. She said: == Selected works ==