• Adopting a child

  You can apply to adopt a child in New Zealand as a couple or as an individual.

• Placing a child for adoption

  Your child can be adopted by another family if you’re not able to look after them.

• Whāngai

  Whāngai is the Māori tradition of children being raised by someone other than their birth parents — usually a relative.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.