We are aware of a high number of scam texts and emails about fines being sent (from 18 August 2026). We do not send direct payment links via text message or email. If you receive a message about a fine and are unsure whether it is genuine, please contact our call centre on 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) before making any payment. Read more about identifying scams.
A Budget initiative to strengthen the Family Court will help ensure parents and whānau are well-supported in a time of distress. The changes will promote timely, safe and durable resolution of care of children disputes. This investment will help to address delays in the Family Court, which will be exacerbated by COVID-19.
The Family Court (Supporting Families in Court) Legislation Bill will take effect on 1 July 2020. It forms part of the $62 million package and will restore the right to legal representation at the start of a care of children dispute in the Family Court and allow parties to those proceedings, where eligible, to access legal aid.
The Bill will ensure that families and whānau are well-supported with early legal advice and help reduce the level of delay in resolving issues in the Family Court, and the damaging effects this has on children, parents and whānau.
The Budget initiative will:
Establish Family Justice Liaison Officers and produce better information resources to help parents and whānau navigate the system;
Increase Legal Aid; and
Increase remuneration for lawyers for children to incentivise the recruitment and retention of skilled practitioners.
A second Bill focused on strengthening the Family Court will follow later this year, which will:
Enhance children’s participation in proceedings that affect them;
Ensure that children feel supported and informed as they move through the Family Court process;
Expand lawyers’ duties in care of children proceedings.
