Adoption Act 1955

If you need more information about this Act, please contact the administering agency: Ministry of Justice

Version as at 28 October 2021

Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Adoption Act 1955

Public Act
 
1955 No 93
Date of assent
 
27 October 1955
Commencement
 
27 October 1955
Note

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.

Contents

Title
1Short Title
2Interpretation
Making of adoption orders
3Power to make adoption orders
4Restrictions on making adoption orders
5Interim orders to be made in first instance
6Restrictions on placing or keeping a child in a home for adoption
7Consents to adoptions
8Cases where consent may be dispensed with
9Withdrawal of consents
10Social worker to report
11Restrictions on making of orders in respect of adoption
12Revocation of interim order
13Issue of adoption order where an interim order has been made
13AAppeal against refusal to make interim order or adoption order
14Date on which adoption order becomes effective
Effect of interim orders and adoption orders
15Effect of interim order
16Effect of adoption order
17Effect of overseas adoption
Maori adoptions
18Application of Act to Maoris
19Adoptions according to Maori custom not operative
Miscellaneous
20Adoption order may be varied or discharged
21Court to which application for adoption order shall be made [Repealed]
22Attendance at hearings
22APublication of reports of proceedings
23Inspection of adoption records
23AReport on application for inspection
24Evidence in adoption cases [Repealed]
25Prohibition of payments in consideration of adoption
26Restriction upon advertisements
27Offences
27AOffence to induce consent
27BSafety of child where offence committed
27CExtraterritorial jurisdiction in respect of offence under section 27A as required by Optional Protocol
27DAttorney-General’s consent required where jurisdiction claimed under section 27C
28Regulations
28ARules
29Consequential amendments
30Repeals and savings
31References to Child Welfare Officer to be read as references to social workers, etc
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Schedule 2
Enactments repealed
Notes

An Act to consolidate and amend certain enactments of the Parliament of New Zealand relating to the adoption of children

Title: amended, on 1 January 1987, pursuant to section 29(2) of the Constitution Act 1986 (1986 No 114).