If you’re asked to return a child you’ve taken from the country where they usually live, you’ll be given (served with) the court documents and told how much time you have to respond.
You may want to talk with a lawyer. If you can’t afford a lawyer you may be able to get:
If you decide to return the child voluntarily, contact the other parent or guardian, their lawyer or the Ministry of Justice (see below).
Postal address:
Central Authority, Hague Convention
Ministry of Justice
SX10088
Wellington
New Zealand
Write the address as written above and send it the same way as any other mail. You can use an NZ Post mail box. If you use a DX mail box your mail will get to us faster (external link)
Phone: 04 918 8800 (or +64 4 918 8800 if you are outside New Zealand)
Fax: 04 918 8820
Contact person: Patricia Bailey – Patricia.Bailey@justice.govt.nz
If you don’t want the child to return to the country where they usually live, you will need to tell the court your reasons for not returning the child.
Find out more about the reasons why a child may not be returned
The other parent or guardian will have a chance to respond to anything you say in your answer. You will be given a copy of their response.
Then there will be a court hearing. The court will decide whether or not the child should be returned to the country where they usually live.
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