Where to go for more support
Community Law |
Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice. Find your local Community Law Centre online: communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres Access the free “Pregnancy Rights: Your legal options before and after pregnancy” booklet, here. 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. |
Family Court |
The Family Court website covers many topics discussed in this chapter, including how the family court works, care of children, adoption and paternity. Website: www.justice.govt.nz/family |
New Zealand Law Society |
The Law Society has helpful information on what happens with children when parents separate. Website: www.lawsociety.org.nz/for-the-public/common-legal-issues/what-happens-to-your-children-when-you-part |
Inland Revenue |
Inland Revenue’s Child Support webpage has a wide range of forms and guides for parents and caregivers. Website: www.ird.govt.nz/topics/child-support |
Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Supervised Contact Services (ANZASCS) |
The ANZASCS website has information about supervised contact and lists contact details for approved providers of supervised contact services. Website: www.anzascs.org.nz |
Alternative Dispute Resolution |
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. The following list is not exhaustive: Resolution Institute: www.resolution.institute |
Oranga Tamariki/Ministry for Children |
Oranga Tamariki’s website has information about the adoption process. Website: www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/adoption/adopting-in-nz |
Department of Internal Affairs |
The DIA website has information on how to obtain original birth certificates for adopted children. Website: www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/adoption-and-fostering/finding-your-birth-parents |
Registering your child’s birth |
The Smartstart website allows you to register your baby’s birth online. |