Adoption In New Zealand

In the last ten years, only seven children have been adopted from New Zealand by American citizens; five females and two males. The country has been a Hague Convention member since 1999, however, it is not currently open for placing children in homes via international adoption. The last American adoption was in 2003.

There are only about 100 non-familial adoptions in New Zealand every year. This number has fallen considerably since peaking just over 2,500 in 1968. To adopt in New Zealand, an adopter must be a permanent New Zealand resident. The minimum age to be an adoptive parent range between 20 and 25, depending on the circumstance. Individuals are able to petition for an adoption in New Zealand, therefore whether a gay and lesbian can adoption in New Zealand is left ambiguous. There is, however, a law against males adopting female children.

Adoption in New Zealand can be complicated for U.S. citizens, when it comes to declaring a child is eligible for orphan status. In New Zealand, a child can only be considered an orphan if his or her birth mother is the last living relative he or she has.

Prospective adopters will want to reach out to the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland as well as the authority on adoption in New Zealand, Child, Youth & Family (CYF).