Family

UPDATE 9 October 2021: The Auckland and Northland regions and some areas of Waikato, including Hamilton City, are at COVID-19 Alert Level 3. The remainder of New Zealand is at COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

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

Courts remain an essential service throughout all COVID-19 alert levels but are operating differently.

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.

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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