Family and whānau
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Having a baby
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While you’re pregnant
Choose a midwife and find out about who can get maternity care, paid parental leave, antenatal classes, health tests and parenting support.
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Registering a new baby and getting a birth certificate
Every baby born in New Zealand must be registered, usually within 2 months of being born. It’s free, and you can apply for the baby's birth certificate and IRD number at the same time.
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Childcare and supervision
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Help paying for childcare
Depending on how much you earn and how old your children are, your family may be able to get help with the cost of childcare.
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Leaving children home alone
It’s illegal to leave your child at home alone if they’re under 14. If you leave them at home, you need to make sure they are safely supervised.
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Getting married
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How to get married in NZ
Choose the kind of ceremony you want then follow the step-by-step guide.
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Getting married overseas
If you’re getting married or having a civil union overseas, you usually do not need to do anything in NZ beforehand — check with the country’s officials if you need to do anything there.
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Celebrants
Only registered celebrants can perform weddings or civil unions in New Zealand.
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Get a marriage licence
Before you get married, you need to apply for a licence. A licence confirms it’s legal for you to marry. It costs $150 if you use a celebrant, and a registry ceremony costs $240 in total.
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Changing your name when you get married
In New Zealand, you don’t usually have to do anything special if you want to change your name after you get married or have a civil union.
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Order a marriage certificate
Your New Zealand marriage certificate is an official record of your marriage. It costs $33 to get one sent to you.
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Submit a notice of objection to someone’s wedding
If you think there are legal reasons why someone shouldn’t get married or have a civil union, you can lodge a caveat or notice of objection.
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Information for marriage celebrants
Celebrants can legally perform marriages and/or civil unions in New Zealand. If you want to become a celebrant, you can choose to be independent or connected with an approved church or organisation. Once you're registered you need to renew your registration each year and keep your contact details up-to-date.
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Civil unions
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Separating or getting divorced
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How to get divorced in NZ
A step by step guide to separating and getting divorced in NZ.
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Separating from your spouse or partner
You don't have to do anything official when you separate from your partner, but a separation agreement or separation order can help to keep things clear.
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Getting a divorce
After you’ve been separated for at least 2 years, you can apply for a divorce. There is a fee for the dissolution order.
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Child custody
If your relationship ends, you need to try to resolve child custody arrangements yourselves before you can go to court.
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Relationship counselling
Find a counsellor in your local area.
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Child support
Child support is paid by parents who do not live with their children, or who share care of their children with someone else.
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Death and bereavement
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Get a death certificate
You might need a death certificate if you're administering someone's estate or applying for a funeral grant from Work and Income or ACC.
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Probate and wills
After someone dies, you need to sort out any tax or financial issues before the will is executed.
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What you need to do when someone dies
An overview of what you might need to do after the death of a loved one.
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Registering a death
If you're using a funeral director, they'll register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages. If you're organising the funeral yourself, or not holding one, you'll need to register the death.
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Financial help if someone dies
If a loved one has died, you might be able to get help with the cost of the funeral, burial or cremation. In some circumstances, you might be entitled to help with living expenses or childcare.
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When someone dies overseas
If you're travelling overseas and someone who's travelling with you dies, contact the nearest NZ Embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade office.
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What to organise before you die
Find information about the sorts of things that you need to think about before you die. You can also create your own plan on the Te Hokinga ā Wairua website.
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Fertility issues and assisted reproduction
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How to get fertility treatment
Some fertility treatments are funded for eligible people in NZ.
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Donate sperm or eggs
You can donate sperm or eggs to someone you know, or you can contact a fertility clinic to apply to be a donor for someone you don't know.
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Finding a child or parent on the sperm and egg donor list
Details of sperm and egg donors, and children conceived from sperm or egg donation are kept on the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Register.
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Adoption and fostering
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Adopting a child
You can apply to adopt a child in New Zealand as a couple or as an individual.
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Placing a child for adoption
Your child can be adopted by another family if you’re not able to look after them.
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Whāngai
Whāngai is the Māori tradition of children being raised by someone other than their birth parents — usually a relative.
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Finding your birth parents
If you were born in NZ and you're adopted, once you turn 20 you can request your original birth certificate, and any information about your adoption records held by Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children.
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Finding your birth child
If you've placed a child for adoption and they are now over 20 years old, you can ask Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children for help finding them.
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Fostering a child (caregiving)
Foster parents (caregivers) look after children in many ways, from short-term or emergency care, to long-term or permanent arrangements.
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Financial help for your family
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Help when you’re raising children
You may be able to get financial help for your family, even if you’re working or looking after a child that’s not your own.
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Working for Families payments
Get help with the costs of raising children with Working for Families tax credit payments. Your payments are worked out based on the information you give Inland Revenue about your income for the year.
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Apply for Best Start payments
Everyone can get a weekly payment in their child’s first year — if the child was due or born on or after 1 July 2018. Some people can get a payment until their child is 3 — it depends on family income.
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Youth benefits
Payments for young people aged 16 or 17 who cannot live with their parents, and for young parents aged 16 to 19.
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Financial help and benefits if you're over 65
If you've retired on a limited income, you may be able to get government help to pay for regular costs or unexpected expenses. You can use your SuperGold Card for transport and other discounts.
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Getting help with your budget
There are community services that can help you manage your finances.
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Enduring Power of Attorney
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Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for personal care and welfare
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for personal care and welfare gives someone you trust the power to make decisions about your health and welfare if you’re unable to.
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Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for property
An EPA for property means that someone can look after your money and property if you become unable to because of an injury, illness or an age-related condition.
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Congratulatory messages
You can get a congratulatory message for significant birthdays and wedding anniversaries from the Queen and New Zealand dignitaries. This is a free service for all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.