Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Family Proceedings Act 1980

Children - Parentage tests in civil proceedings

55: Contents of report

You could also call this:

"What a Parentage Test Report Must Include"

Illustration for Family Proceedings Act 1980

When you get a report about parentage tests, it must say who made the report and what their qualifications are. It must also say how the blood or buccal samples were taken and how each person was identified. The report must state the results of the parentage tests and if the tests show someone is not a natural parent of the child. If the parentage tests do not show that someone is not a natural parent, the report can say what the results mean. You can ask the person who made the report to explain something in the report if you need more information. A Judge or a Family Court Associate can also ask for more information. The person who made the report must provide a written statement if asked, and this statement becomes part of the report.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM40458.

Topics:
Family and relationships > Children and parentingCrime and justice > Courts and legal help
Previous

54: Parentage tests, or

"Tests to find out who a child's parents are"

Next

56: Right of examination, or

"The court can ask people questions about parentage test results."

Part 5Children
Parentage tests in civil proceedings

55Contents of report

  1. A report on parentage tests—

  2. shall state the qualifications of the person making the report; and
    1. shall include or be accompanied by a statement showing the circumstances in which a blood sample or buccal sample was taken from each person to whom the report relates, and the manner in which that person was separately identified from each other person to whom the tests relate; and
      1. must state the systems used to analyse the blood sample or buccal sample, for example,—
        1. any of the following systems for analysing blood samples, namely, ABO, Rh, MNSs, Duffy, Kidd, Kell, Haptoglobins, Gc's, and phosphoglucomutase; or
          1. a system of comparison of DNA profiles for analysing blood samples or buccal samples; and
            1. shall state the results of the parentage tests; and
              1. shall state, in relation to each person to whom the report relates (other than the child), whether the results of the parentage tests show that the person is not a natural parent of the child.

                1. Where parentage tests carried out on a person do not show that the person is not a natural parent of the child, the report may contain an evaluation of the significance of the results of the parentage tests in determining whether that person is a natural parent of the child.

                2. Where a report on parentage tests has been submitted to a court under this section, the person who made the report must provide a written statement explaining or amplifying any matter in the report if required to do so by—

                3. a Judge, on the Judge’s own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceedings; or
                  1. a Family Court Associate, on the application of a party to the proceedings.

                    1. A written statement so obtained shall be deemed to form part of the report.

                    Notes
                    • Section 55(1): amended, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(1)(b): amended, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(1)(c): replaced, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(1)(d): repealed, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(1)(e): amended, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(1)(f): amended, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(2): amended, on , by section 150 of the Care of Children Act 2004 (2004 No 90).
                    • Section 55(3): replaced, on , by section 48 of the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 25).