The commission's role will be to promote the interests and wellbeing of the children and young people of New Zealand and to advocate for their rights. These rights will include those under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other child-specific local and international obligations such as Te Tiriti o Waitangi and, indeed, other documents. In addition, the commission will have more clearly prescribed and expanded responsibilities to encourage and facilitate the participation of children and young people in matters that affect them. 