Adoption Act 1955

Miscellaneous

27A: Offence to induce consent

You could also call this:

"It's a crime to trick or force someone into agreeing to an adoption"

If you trick or force someone into agreeing to an adoption, you are committing a crime. This can include lying to them, threatening them, or using other unfair methods to get them to agree. You can be punished with up to 7 years in prison if you are found guilty of this crime.

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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=DLM3955702.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal lawFamily and relationships > Adoption and guardianship

27: Offences, or

"Breaking adoption rules is against the law"

27B: Safety of child where offence committed, or

"Keeping a child safe if a crime is suspected"

27AOffence to induce consent

Every person commits an offence who induces another person, by fraud, duress, undue influence (by payment or otherwise), or other improper means, to consent to an adoption.
Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.

Notes

Section 27A: inserted, on 17 August 2011, by section 6 of the Adoption Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 60).
Section 27A(2): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).