New Commissioner for Children Announced

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced the appointment of Dr Russell Wills as the new Children’s Commissioner.

Dr Wills is the Head of Paediatrics at Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and has a strong clinical background as well as a history of advocating for children.

He will take up the role of part time Children’s Commissioner from July 2011, and continue part time as a paediatrician, remaining strongly connected to the community.

Editor’s notes on Dr Russell Wills.
• Dr Wills currently works at the Hawke’s Bay DHB as the Head of Department Child Youth and Health, where he is a clinical leader for child and adolescent health, family violence and child protection and practises as a General and Community Paediatrician.

• Dr Wills' current research areas include before school checks evaluation, family violence intervention, and CYF foster care support.

• Previous roles include the National Paediatrician for the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, Royal Australasian College of Physicians Fellow and Senior Lecturer, Dept of Paediatrics and Child Health, at the Wellington School of Medicine.

The full press release is available at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-children%E2%80%99s-commissioner-a...