"Adoption loss is the only trauma in the world where the victims are expected by the whole of society to be grateful." Keith C. Griffith, MBE
This site is for adopted people, parents, partners, friends and families impacted by adoption in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our vision
Adoption NZ’s vision is:
to provide resources for people impacted by adoption
to educate and raise awareness of the practice, policy, challenges,
triumphs and impacts of adoption
to take an open, honest look at current and historical adoption practices
to provide access to relevant research, articles, books and links on issues relating to New Zealand’s adoption legislation
Latest News and updates
24 JULY 2023 The Ministry of Justice Kiritapu Allen resigned from her role as Minister of Justice after being arrested and charged with careless use of a motor vehicle, refusing to accompany a police officer, and having an excess breath alcohol level. Minister Ginny Andersen will hold the Justice portfolio until the general election in October 2023.
One News 13 May 2023: When Jenny Small was adopted by Pākeha parents in the 1960s, she was cut off from her whakapapa. Six decades later, journalists Mihingarangi Forbes and Annabelle Lee-Mather reunite Small with her whānau In this One News video the Minister of Justice told the reporters that ‘....a bill won't be introduced before the next election..." And for Jenny? Where is her apology? And why did she have to get support from the media to find and reunite with her whānau? Justice delayed is justice denied.
April 2023 - Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care and people impacted by adoption has pushed out the date the final report will be released. The new release date is March 2024. Read about the update here.
March 2023 - Scotland government apologised for forced adoptions View here. Full transcript can be read here.
February 2023 - Just released Ebook … A Question of Adoption: Closed Stranger Adoption in New Zealand 1944–1974 and Adoption, State Care, Donor Conception and Surrogacy 1975–2022 by Anne Else with Maria Haenga-Collins
Please note: AdoptionNZ.com is independent from any statutory adoption agency or adoption accredited body, and does not have a presence on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Since the 1955 Adoption Act was passed there have been around 100,000 adoption orders made in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Each adopted person will have a mother and father, generally two adopting parents, eight grandparents, siblings and cousins, aunts and uncles, partners, children and grandchildren.
Most people in Aotearoa New Zealand are connected in some way to someone impacted by adoption.
Over the years, many of the thousands of people with diverse links to an adoption order have approached us with questions they seek answers to, for support to help them take the first or next step, and to learn more about adoption in our country.
Where we can, we aim to help you find what you need.
This is a place where you’ll find resources and information about adoption in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.
There have been, and continue to be, many articles, research, thesis, testimonials, books, videos, documentaries and movies produced relating to adoption.
We aim to provide a clearing house to help you find and navigate your way to finding what you’re looking for.
Since the Adoption Act 1955 was passed there are have been numerous changes to legislation relating to adoption in Aotearoa New Zealand, including the Adoption Information Act 1985, the Care of Children’s Act 2004, the Human Reproductive Technology Act 2004, and the Children’s Act 2014. Practices around adoption have also changed since the current Adoption Act 1955 was conceived.
There has also been many attempts by lobby groups, academics, MPs and others to change the 1955 Adoption Act. Most have aimed to ensure the any new law is consistent with Aotearoa New Zealand’s obligations under international child protection treaties, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and with other domestic legislation relating to children in our country.
We aim to cast a light on the journey to reform, to investigate the drivers and roadblocks along the way, and to support you, if you wish, to to become a driver for change.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback.
Email adoption@xtra.co.nz
Please note: AdoptionNZ.com is independent from any statutory adoption agency or organisation