Family Court
Modern Family Court will look like a 'different world' to current system, says top judge
A modern Family Court will look and feel like a "different world" to the current system, according to the judge leading the specialist jurisdiction.
Court 'heavily burdened' but principal judge remains optimistic about its future.
The top Family Court judge has told a law conference there's good reason to be optimistic about the court's future.
Abuse survivors not safe dealing with Family Court - advocate
Two reviews of the Family Court are underway to ensure its judges are up to scratch and victims are happy with how they're being treated.
It comes as a family violence advocate says it is currently… Audio
What impact is the property market and Covid having on separations?
Divorce and family law expert Jeremy Sutton joins Kathryn to look at the pressures that can be generated over the family home when couples separate and how the extension of the bright line test has… Audio
Pros and cons of representing yourself at court
Simon Jefferson QC joins Kathryn to look at the topic of self-represented litigants, particularly in the Family Court. Could a Public Advocate system be a better way to go? Simon Jefferson QC is a… Audio
Navigating the Family Court with a new guide
Separation is often a process of pain and grief, particularly when children are involved.
Writer Katrina Smithson found out about New Zealand's Family Court system the hard way - via a four-year… Audio
Who speaks for children in the Family Court?
Law commentator and family court Simon Jefferson QC examines who represents the voice of children in the Family Court system and the statutory provisions to have their views taken into account.
He… Audio
Family court reforms - delays and costs still a worry
The largest independent study undertaken to examine the 2014 Family Law reforms has found delays and legal costs to be major ongoing concerns for parents and caregivers' using the family court system… Audio
Three Minutes Max: Tommy Kapai Wilson on uplifting babies from their mothers
Short, succinct opinions from New Zealanders on subjects of their choice. Tommy Wilson from the Te Tuinga Whanau Suport Services Trust on the issue of babies being uplifted from their mothers and why… Audio
Major rewrite to family court inches closer
Significant reform of the family court is inching closer. The Independent Panel making recommendations to the government is embarking on a final series of consultation meetings throughout the country… Audio
What Women Want: a panel discussion about domestic violence and healthcare led by Alison Mau
To mark the 125th anniversary of Women's Suffrage, broadcaster Alison Mau hosted a series of panel-style conversations called What Women Want. Listen to highlights from the discussions Healthcare… Video, Audio
Where there's a will
Fewer and fewer New Zealanders are making wills, and those that do exist are more and more open to challenge in the family court, according to research by the Public Trust. The research finds that… Audio
Prominent legal expert says Family Court needs reform
Calls for reform of the family court system and the need for more resources are being backed by a prominent international expert on legal issues related to children and families in the justice system… Audio
Oranga Tamariki boss acknowledges judges' concerns
Family Court judges have been taking their concerns about the way Oranga Tamariki operates directly to the organisation's chief executive. Documents obtained through an Official Information Act… Audio
Reforms aim to make Family Court less traumatic
A review of the controversial 2014 reforms to the Family Court is under way, with the aim of providing more support and advice for warring couples.
Review of controversial Family Court reforms begins
A review of the controversial 2014 reforms to the Family Court is now underway, with the aim of providing more support and advice for warring couples. The 2014 changes were supposed to resolve… Audio
Oranga Tamariki failing to care for 'our babies' - grandmother
The grandmother of a teenage girl in the Hutt Valley says she fears her grand-daughter will end up on meth, following months without intervention by social workers. The woman, who cannot be identified… Audio
Delayed family court review about to begin
The government's promised review of the beleagured family court system is about to get underway - three months later than it should have. It comes as the UN considers whether to send a special… Audio
Māori lawyers say Family Court not working for whānau
Māori lawyers and academics say the Family Court is in crisis and should not be dealing with the care and protection of Maori children. The Government is set to review the Family Court because of huge… Audio
Family Court not working for whānau - senior lawyer
A senior lawyer says the Family Court is in crisis and should not be dealing with the care and protection of Māori children. The government is setting up a panel and an expert advisory group to review… Audio