Commissioner C’Zarke Maza has been reappointed for 3 more years as the Commissioner of Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa.
Commissioner Maza was appointed in 2021 to oversee and administer the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020.
Commissioner Maza, a descendant of the Meriam people of Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait Islands and Yidinjdji people from the coast of Cairns, was admitted as a solicitor and barrister in 2002, bringing with him extensive legal expertise before commencing as the inaugural Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) in 2021.
Commissioner Maza said he was honoured to continue in the role as commissioner, with his priority being to maintain confidence and stability.
“I am deeply honoured to be reappointed as Commissioner Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa for another three years. This role is a privilege and responsibility— to uphold the voices of our people, to ensure confidence in the process, and to protect the strength of Ailan Kastom for future generations. We have already seen the positive impact this work has had on families and communities, and I remain committed to continuing this journey with stability, respect and cultural integrity,” Commissioner Maza said.
Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) oversees the sensitive and important work of administering the legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child-rearing practices.
The Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020 provides a pathway to legally recognise traditional child-rearing practices within Queensland’s legal system. Since the Act came into effect on 1 July 2021, more than 120 Cultural Recognition Orders have been granted.
The Act acknowledges the importance of Torres Strait Islander customs and provides a pathway for these practices to coexist with Queensland’s legal system.
The Act recognises child-rearing practices in which a child’s birth and cultural parents agree to permanently transfer parentage, in accordance with Ailan Kastom.
A Cultural Recognition Order is an order made by the commissioner, which legally recognises the transfer of parentage for a person, from their birth parents to their cultural parents.
After a Cultural Recognition Order is granted for a child or adult, a new birth certificate is issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages reflecting the person’s cultural identity, cultural parents and siblings.
The names 'Meriba Omasker' and 'Kaziw Kazipa' combines Eastern Island and Top Western Island language terms of the Torres Strait, collectively meaning 'for our children's children'.
Last reviewed:06 November 2025
Last modified:06 November 2025
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence
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