Abortion (“Termination”) Overview What is abortion (or termination)? An abortion/termination is a procedure to terminate (end) a pregnancy by removing the embryo or foetus from a woman’s womb before it is able to survive outside the woman’s body. Abortion is also called…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Overview What is adoption? Adoption Act 1955, ss 11, 16 Adoption is a legal process where a person or couple (the “adoptive parents”) become the parents of another person’s birth child (the “birth parent”). The adoptive parents will raise the child…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Who can be adopted Adoption Act 1955, ss 2, 31 Any person under the age of 20 can be adopted. They don’t have to be living in New Zealand. When a person is about to turn 20 and an application to…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Who can adopt Adoption by individuals or couples Individuals An individual can adopt someone on their own. If they want to adopt and have a partner, their partner has to agree. If a person applies to adopt alone and the application…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Consent to adoption Who has to agree Consent of parents and guardians Adoption Act 1955, ss 7, 9 The child’s birth parents and guardians have to agree to any adoption (but not the father if the mother is the child’s sole…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption The adoption process How do I adopt? Adoption Act 1955, ss 5, 13 Adoption applications are made to the Family Court. Before the court makes an Adoption Order, a social worker will write a report about the adopting parents. The report…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Payments and advertising for adoptions Adoption Act 1955, ss 25, 26 It’s against the law to offer or accept payment for the adoption of a child. However, a person who has applied to adopt can pay the mother’s hospital and medical…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Whāngai adoption Adoption Act 1955, s 19 Whāngai adoption is informal adoption under tikanga Māori. In the Māori Land Court, whāngai relationships can be recognised for the purposes of inheritance to Māori land (see: “Succession”). Whāngai adoption often means a continuing…

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26 July 2021 |

Adoption Adoption information Information about birth parents Adult Adoption Information Act 1985, ss 3–6, 11 If you were adopted under a closed adoption and you want to know who your birth parents are, you will need your original birth certificate. You need…

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26 July 2021 |

Surrogacy and IVF Overview Status of Children Act 1969, s 17; Adoption Act 1955 In New Zealand, you can use egg and sperm donation or surrogacy to have a child. Regardless of how the child is conceived, the person who gets pregnant…

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26 July 2021 |