Abortion (“Termination”) Overview What is abortion (or termination)? Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977, s 2 An abortion (also called a “termination”) is a procedure to terminate (end) a pregnancy in which the embryo or foetus was, up to that point, still…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Adoption Overview What is adoption? Adoption Act 1955, ss 2, 16 Adoption is a legal process where a person or couple (the “adoptive parents”) become the parents of a child. The adoptive parents will raise the child as their own. The child…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Adoption Who can be adopted? Adoption Act 1955, ss 2, 3, 13 A “child” can be adopted under New Zealand adoption law, provided all the necessary legal requirements are met. For the purposes of New Zealand adoption law, a “child” includes anyone…

Read more

26 July 2021 |

Adoption Who can adopt? Adoption by individuals or couples Individuals Adoption Act 1955, s 7 An individual can adopt a child on their own. If you have a partner, but want to adopt a child by yourself, your partner must agree to…

Read more

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 (however, if the mother is the child’s sole guardian, the father…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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 is…

Read more

26 July 2021 |