0800 COURTS closes at 3:00pm 24 December 2025, for urgent matters (relating to family matter or bail conditions), please call 0800 253 425. 0800 4 FINES closes at 7:00pm, 24 December 2025. Our Contact Centres will reopen at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 3:00pm on Friday 19 December, reopening at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
If someone can't fully make personal decisions for themselves or is unable to communicate these decisions, the court can say, by creating a Personal Order, that specific actions must be taken for the person who needs help.
A Personal Order may cover things like decisions involving medical treatment or putting someone in a rest home.
If you think you need help making decisions for yourself or you think a relative needs this help, you can apply for a range of Personal Orders.
Non-relatives, including doctors and social workers, can also apply for Personal Orders.
This page was last updated: