Family

UPDATE 3 December 2021: As of 11:59pm on 2 December Aotearoa will have moved to the traffic light setting.

Northland, Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts are set at Red.

The rest of the North Island is set at Orange.

The whole of the South Island is set at Orange.

All courts to continue operating under existing arrangements. From Monday 6 December, new transitional protocols will be in place. Further guidance to be released today on the Courts of NZ website.

We are working on updating our guidance under the traffic light (COVID Protection Framework) system and this will be available shortly. In the meantime please refer to the information available at the COVID-19 website.

 For family-related guidance during COVID-19, please refer to our Information for families and whānau page.

For more information for court users, see: Information for all court and tribunal users.

Please do not come to the courthouse if you are feeling unwell. Contact 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787) if you cannot enter the courthouse or are not sure whether to attend. Find contact details for a court or tribunal.

The COVID Healthline at 0800 358 5453 is also available for 24/7 advice and information about COVID-19.

Get information about family issues, and other times when you need help.

  • Relationship break up »

    A break up can be hard to navigate and everyone’s journey will be different. The relationship break up tool can help you find the information that is most important to you.

  • Separation & divorce »

    Get help to separate or divorce when your marriage, civil union or de facto relationship ends.

  • Care of children »

    Information on making arrangements for the care of your children and how the Family Court can help you sort out arrangements.

  • Keeping children safe »

    The Family Court is involved with Care or Protection Orders. You can also find services outside of court to help keep your children safe.

  • Adoption & the Family Court »

    The Family Court is involved in the adoption of children from within New Zealand.

  • Paternity & Child Support »

    The Family Court can decide paternity (who a child's father is). The Family Court can also help with child support, such as appealing or enforcing payments.

  • About Family Court »

    Find out how the Family Court and other services can help you resolve problems.

  • Family violence »

    Information on how to get help and/or legal protection from the Family Court if you're in, or have been in, a family or close personal relationship with a person being violent.

  • Relationship property »

    Get help to make agreements about relationship property and assets at any time during your relationship, or when the relationship ends or the other partner dies.

  • Challenge a will »

    Find out the reasons you can challenge a will and how to do it in Family Court.

  • Change sex on your birth certificate »

    How to change the sex on your birth certificate.

  • Powers to make decisions for others »

    How you can help people who may not be fully able to make decisions for themselves, including information on enduring power of attorney, welfare guardians, property managers and Personal Orders.

  • Court ordered treatment »

    The court can order treatment for mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse or other addiction issues.

  • Information for lawyers & service providers »

    Resources for lawyers and service providers, including without notice applications, mediation and parenting courses.

  • Civil restraint orders to prevent meritless cases »

    The Family Court can make an order to restrict a person from starting or continuing to bring civil cases which are unwarranted or meritless.

  • Get consent to marry if you’re aged 16 or 17 »

    If you’re aged 16 or 17 and want to marry, or be in a civil union or de facto relationship with someone, you’ll need the consent of a Family Court judge.

  • Contact the Family Court »

    Find out how to contact or find a Family Court.

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