Adoption Act 1955

Making of adoption orders

10: Social worker to report

You could also call this:

"The court gets a report from a social worker before making adoption decisions."

Before the court makes any decisions about adopting a child, a social worker must write a report about the application. You need to give the social worker enough time to write this report, and the court will think about what the social worker says. The social worker will also be told when the court is going to talk about the application, so they can come and share their thoughts. This rule does not apply if the person applying to adopt the child is already the child's parent. The social worker can come to the court hearing, ask questions, and share their thoughts with the court.

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This page was last updated on 1 October 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM293162.

Topics:

Family and relationships > Adoption and guardianshipFamily and relationships > Children and parenting

9: Withdrawal of consents, or

"Changing your mind about adoption: when you can withdraw your consent"

11: Restrictions on making of orders in respect of adoption, or

"Rules to Follow Before a Child Can be Adopted"

10Social worker to report

Before the court makes any interim order, or makes any adoption order without first making an interim order,—
the Registrar of the court shall require a social worker to furnish a report on the application;
reasonable time shall be allowed to enable the social worker to furnish a report, and the court shall consider any report which the social worker may furnish; and
the Registrar shall give the social worker reasonable notice of the hearing of the application:

provided that this subsection shall not apply in any case where the applicant or one of the applicants is an existing parent of the child, whether his natural parent or his adoptive parent under any previous adoption.

The social worker shall be entitled to appear at the hearing of the application, and to cross-examine, call evidence, and address the court.

Notes

Section 10 heading: amended, on 1 April 1972, by section 23(4)(b) of the Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60).
Section 10(1)(a): amended, on 1 April 1972, by section 23(4)(b) of the Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60).
Section 10(1)(b): amended, on 1 April 1972, by section 23(4)(b) of the Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60).
Section 10(1)(c): amended, on 1 April 1972, by section 23(4)(b) of the Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60).
Section 10(2): amended, on 1 April 1972, by section 23(4)(b) of the Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60).