Family

UPDATE 25 September: Courts and tribunals are operating differently at the moment. 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

Attending a court or tribunal

Auckland at Level 2

Please attend on your scheduled date unless a Judge or Registrar has advised otherwise.

Entry into courthouses is limited to defendants, parties, witnesses, complainants, victims, and other stakeholders. Members of the public (including whānau/support person for a defendant) whose presence is not required at court may only attend if granted permission from the presiding Judge.

Public counters are generally open.

Protocols for how courts and tribunals will operate during COVID-19 Alert Level 2 have been released on the Courts of NZ website

Rest of New Zealand at Level 1

Please attend on your scheduled date unless a Judge or Registrar has advised otherwise.

Members of the public can attend without prior permission from the presiding Judge.

Public counters are generally open.

Protocols for how courts and tribunals will operate during COVID-19 Alert Level 1 have been released on the Courts of NZ website

Health and safety measures

We are following Ministry of Health guidelines to protect the health and safety of all court participants and staff.

Factsheet: Health and Safety measures during COVID-19 Alert Level 2 [PDF, 89KB]

Factsheet: Health and Safety measures during COVID-19 Alert Level 1 [PDF, 86KB]

Juror safety

Arrangements are in place to keep jurors safe in court buildings throughout New Zealand.

Read the Chief Justice's media statement 18 September 2020 re jury trial arrangements [PDF, 412KB]

Use of face masks in court buildings

Face masks should be worn while in public areas of Auckland court buildings until further notice. This applies to all court participants and staff to maintain health and safety standards. It is an additional precaution for everyone in the court building. Disposable masks are freely available from security at court entrances.

For the rest of New Zealand, face mask use is encouraged in court buildings.

Judicial protocols have been updated to reflect this on the Courts of New Zealand website.

Read the Chief Justice's media statement 28 August 2020 regarding masks in court


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. Formally ending a marriage or civil union requires a court process, as can the decisions about the care of children and sorting out joint property. The relationship break up tool can help you find the information that is most important to you. You can also use it to create a to do list.

  • 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.

  • 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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