Introducing new Executive Director Justine Cornwall

After completing her PhD in social psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, Dr Justine Cornwall has held many senior roles across the public sector. Justine was the Deputy Children’s Commissioner for three years, where she oversaw work on child poverty and the statutory monitoring of Oranga Tamariki.

Justine has led work on a range of complex social issues, including reviews of the Domestic Violence Act and of the Independent Oversight of the Children’s System. Most recently, she has held senior roles within the Ministry of Social Development, and led the establishment of Whaikaha the Ministry of Disabled People.

“It’s my privilege to be supporting our three Commissioners in this vitally important mahi. Every New Zealander was affected by COVID-19 in some way – and so it’s essential that we capture the lessons from the extraordinary sacrifices that were made.”