[janette&mark]

Hello Im wondering if anyone can help or maybe give some direction.
'We are living in Australia , I am English (have NZ citizenship) my husband is NZ Maori, and we have two children both NZ born.

I cannot have more children but we would love the chance to adopt a child (preferably maori descent) from New Zealand.

I know that in years gone by children were adopted by other family members within the extended maori whanau(family) if it was in the best interest of the child (this was the case with my husbands sister,).I dont believe there was any legal involvement.

Does anyone have any advice on this subject?
Especially considering bringing a child out of NZ and the legal
aspects of this.

Thank you and Godbless xxxxxjanette

[giharris]

We recently attended an information evening on adoption at the Christchurch office of Child, Youth & Family. During the presentation we heard that NZ children of any descent are not adopted outside of NZ at all. There are many local adoptions and NZ has an intercountry adoption program for NZers who wish to adopt from overseas (i.e. bring a child into NZ)

Hope this is of some help

[janette&mark]

Hi thanks for your reply Im just wondering tho if we adopted (inter family) in NZ (and then made the adoption legal at a later time or had the birth parent sign a consent to leave the country form) surely we would be able to bring our new son/daughter to Australia to lilve with us here?

[giharris]

At the information evening they talked a bit about inter-family adoption and other arrangements but because this didn't apply to us I didn't take it all in.
The department of child, youth & family has a website that may be of more help to you, or you can contact them on:

www.cyf.govt.nz

Adoption Information & Services Unit
Christchurch
03 961 6120

Good luck!

[janette&mark]

Thanks again I will go and have a look at the website you recommended....Best of Luck to you too... janette