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 needs help making decisions for themselves about their personal care and welfare, the Family Court can appoint a welfare guardian for them.
For the court to do this, it must mean the court believes a welfare guardian is the only way to make sure the right decisions are made for the person.
How a welfare guardian supports and protects the welfare and best interest of the person they’re acting for.
People can apply for a Welfare Guardian Order for themselves or someone else. For the court to appoint a welfare guardian for themselves, it must be satisfied that the person meets the court defined description and sufficient medical evidence is provided to support this.
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