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Family law
Adoption
Whāngai adoption (informal adoption under tikanga Māori) is not generally recognised under New Zealand law. However, in the Maori Land Court, whāngai relationships can be recognised for the purposes of inheritance to Maori land. See “Succession” in the chapter “Māori land”
Whāngai adoption often means a continuing relationship with the birth family and, if full adoption isn’t appropriate, it may be worth considering whether guardianship is an option.
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Parents, guardians and caregivers
Community Law
Your local Community Law Centre can provide initial free legal advice and information.
Oranga Tamariki / Ministry for Children
www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/adoption/adopting-in-nz
Phone: 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459)
Email: enquiry@ot.govt.nz
This web page has information about the adoption process.
Family Court
The Family Court website includes information on the topics in this chapter.
Family Court fee waiver forms
www.justice.govt.nz/courts/going-to-court/court-fees/apply-for-help-to-pay-court-fees
Department of Internal Affairs
www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/adoption-and-fostering/finding-your-birth-parents
This DIA webpage has information on how to obtain original birth certificates for adopted children.
Parents can now register their baby’s birth online at: www.smartstart.services.govt.nz/register-my-baby
“What happens to your children when you part?” (pamphlet)
www.lawsociety.org.nz/for-the-public/common-legal-issues/what-happens-to-your-children-when-you-part
Phone: (04) 472 7837
Email: pamphlets@lawsociety.org.nz
This New Zealand Law Society pamphlet covers guardianship, care of and contact with children, how disputes are resolved, and other child-focused issues. Access the pamphlet online or order hardcopies from the New Zealand Law Society.
Inland Revenue
Phone: 0800 221 221
Inland Revenue’s Child Support webpage has a wide range of forms and guides for parents and caregivers.
Alternative dispute resolution
www.resolution.institute – Resolution Institute is a community of mediators, arbitrators, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other DR professionals.
www.aminz.org.nz – AMINZ (Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand).
There are many kinds of “alternative dispute resolution” that, depending on your personal situation, may be cheaper and more successful than going to the Family Court. These include counselling, mediation and negotiation. You can find out more at the above websites
Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Supervised Contact Services
The ANZASCS website has information about organisations that are approved as providers of supervised contact services.
“Pregnancy Rights: Your legal options before and after pregnancy” booklet
This booklet contains practical answers to questions about pregnancy and the law, and includes information on sexual health and consent, options after a positive pregnancy test, healthcare, education, housing and more.
Order hard copies from:
Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley
Phone: (04) 499 2928
Email: publications@wclc.org.nz or visit www.communitylaw.org.nz to buy a copy or access free online.
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