Articles tagged with Family
New Zealand Parent Resident Visa: Fairer, Predictable Selection Process from Nov 2026
2 weeks ago | 191 viewsNew Zealand is changing the Parent Resident Visa selection process to a hybrid model where 90% of expressions of interest (EOIs) are selected chronologically and 10% by ballot, aiming to provide a fairer and more predictable system for families. The new model removes the requirement to reapply and pay fees every two years, allowing EOIs to remain active if updated, and will take effect with the first selection on 10 November 2026. These changes prioritize applicants who have been waiting longest while maintaining a balanced allocation of the 2,500 annual visa places, improving certainty without eliminating waiting times.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand Parent Resident Visa Immigration New Zealand Parent Boost Labour Government family reunification visa quota expression of interest immigration policyGovernment Achieves Early Training Target for 10,000 Frontline Family Violence Workers
3 weeks ago | 254 viewsThe government has achieved its target of training 10,000 frontline workers in family and sexual violence prevention nearly six months ahead of schedule, enhancing support for victim/survivors. Key agencies including NZ Police, Oranga Tamariki, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, and ACC have delivered training aligned with workforce capability frameworks to improve recognition, response, and referral skills. Ongoing efforts include specialized training for court staff, extensive Corrections staff training, and revamped Police recruit courses to sustain and expand these capabilities through 2026.
Tags: Karen Chhour Te Aorerekura NZ Police Oranga Tamariki Ministry of Justice Department of Corrections ACC family violence sexual violence frontline workersFamilyBoost Payments Support Over 97,500 NZ Families with Childcare Costs
4 weeks ago | 221 viewsOver 97,500 New Zealand families have received FamilyBoost payments, which were expanded last year to increase the rebate from 25% to 40%, raise the maximum weekly payment to $120, and extend eligibility to households earning up to $229,000 annually. These changes have resulted in a 70% increase in average payments, helping over 12,000 families each quarter to better manage early childhood education costs and balance work and family life. The government encourages eligible families to register for FamilyBoost, emphasizing its role in supporting working parents and strengthening the economy by easing childcare cost pressures.
Tags: FamilyBoost Nicola Willis New Zealand early childhood education childcare costs working parents Finance Minister government support Inland Revenue family paymentsNew Workplace Guide Empowers Employers to Support Employees Facing Stalking
1 month ago | 301 viewsMinister for Women Nicola Grigg has launched a new guide to help workplaces support employees experiencing stalking, emphasizing the serious impact stalking has on victims' health and safety. Developed by the Ministry for Women in collaboration with Shine and Human Resources New Zealand, the guide offers practical steps for employers to recognize stalking behaviors, respond to disclosures, manage risks, and provide specialist support. This initiative complements recent legal changes criminalizing stalking, aiming to create safer workplace environments and hold perpetrators accountable.
Tags: Nicola Grigg stalking workplaces Ministry for Women Shine Human Resources New Zealand family violence harassment Crimes Act victimsFinal Report on Phillips Children Disappearance Presented to Attorney-General
1 month ago | 330 viewsThe final report of the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children has been presented to the Governor-General’s office and delivered to Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop. The Attorney-General will review the report for necessary redactions due to suppression orders and the welfare of the children before presenting it to the House of Representatives. The Government will carefully consider the Inquiry’s recommendations and respond in the coming weeks, with thanks extended to the Inquiry Chair, Honourable Justice Simon Moore KC, and his team.
Tags: Phillips children Public Inquiry Chris Bishop Judith Collins House of Representatives suppression orders Family Court Justice Simon MooreRemembering Sir William Birch: A Legacy of Dedication and National Impact
1 month ago | 313 viewsSir William Birch was a prominent National Party figure who contributed significantly to New Zealand's modernization during his nearly 30 years in Parliament. He was known for his exceptional diligence and commitment to public service, aiming to create a better future for the country. The Government and National Party extend their deepest condolences to his family and gratitude for his many years of service.
Tags: Sir William Birch National Party Parliament economy reform public life Government condolences family work ethic future generationsNew Zealand Passes Landmark Mental Health Law Reform Ending Youth Seclusion
1 month ago | 446 viewsNew Zealand has passed landmark legislation to overhaul its mental health laws for the first time in over 30 years, modernizing compulsory care and strengthening patients' rights. Key reforms include ending seclusion for young people, introducing protections to keep mothers and babies together, enhancing supported decision-making, and tightening safeguards around electroconvulsive therapy. These changes, influenced by recommendations from the Royal Commission and input from those with lived experience, aim to improve safety, dignity, and recovery-focused care, with implementation set for two years from now.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand mental health Parliament Mental Health Minister seclusion compulsory mental health care Royal Commission of Inquiry electroconvulsive therapy family involvementJudge La-Verne King Appointed as New Principal Family Court Judge in Whangarei
1 month ago | 401 viewsJudge La-Verne King has been appointed as the new Principal Family Court Judge, starting in November after Judge Jackie Moran's retirement. With a legal career beginning in 1989, she co-founded the first Māori and Pasifika women law firm and has held various roles including Youth Advocate and District Inspector for Mental Health. Since her appointment to the District Court Bench in 2019, she has primarily served in Family and Youth Courts in Northland and became the Family Court Liaison Judge for the region in 2021.
Tags: Chris Bishop Ida Malosi Ali’imuamua Sandra Alofivae Jackie Moran KAM Legal Family Court Youth Court District Court NorthlandNew Community Consultation to Improve Disability and Carer Support Services
2 months ago | 557 viewsDisability Issues Minister Louise Upston announced a new community consultation from June 8 to July 31 to gather feedback on improving disability support services, focusing on flexible supports, better planning, and enhanced respite options for carers. The consultation will inform the development of a new carer support package aimed at providing financial aid, improved respite, and practical assistance, addressing the complexities of current formal employment arrangements for family carers. The government has committed $2.1 billion in recent budgets to strengthen the disability support system and emphasizes ongoing engagement with the disability community to create a fair, transparent, and sustainable service framework.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Issues Minister DSS Disability Support Services family carers carers New Zealand Government Disability Support Services Bill carer support package disability communityGovernment Advances ECE Financial Relief to July 2026, Boosting Quality and Affordability
2 months ago | 684 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour announced that financial relief for early childhood education (ECE) services will be advanced to July 2026, providing a 1.5% subsidy increase and an additional $40 million annually to ease rising cost pressures. The government has reformed ECE regulations by reducing licensing criteria, simplifying compliance, and improving oversight to enhance quality, affordability, and access while reducing red tape. Additionally, the FamilyBoost program supports families by offering up to $120 weekly towards ECE costs, benefiting over 92,000 families so far.
Tags: David Seymour early childhood education ECE New Zealand Ministry of Education ECE Sector Review FamilyBoost Director of Regulation subsidy rates ERONew Advisory Group Formed to Guide Government on Family and Sexual Violence Prevention
3 months ago | 628 viewsA new Family Violence and Sexual Violence Ministerial Advisory Group has been established to provide expert, lived experience, and community-informed guidance to the government on preventing family and sexual violence. Chaired by Debra Murray, the group includes respected leaders with diverse backgrounds in advocacy, trauma-informed services, and community engagement, focusing on legislative, policy, and strategic improvements. Minister Karen Chhour emphasizes the importance of honest, collaborative advice to address these complex social issues through coordinated, long-term government and community action.
Tags: Karen Chhour Debra Murray Matthew Brown Peter Chamberlain Caroline Herewini Patricia McMurtrie Chrystal Walker family violence sexual violence advisory groupNew Zealand Boosts Financial Support for Families, Superannuitants & Students from April
4 months ago | 900 viewsFrom 1 April, the New Zealand government will increase financial support for over a million citizens, including superannuitants, working families, students, and beneficiaries, to help offset rising living costs due to the global fuel-price surge and Middle East conflict. Key measures include increased NZ Superannuation payments, boosted family tax credits, in-work tax credits, and changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates to encourage long-term savings. The government emphasizes targeted, responsible support to manage inflation and economic growth while safeguarding New Zealand’s financial future amid global uncertainties.
Tags: Nicola Willis New Zealand Superannuitants Working Families Students Beneficiaries KiwiSaver Finance Minister FamilyBoost Jobseeker SupportThree New District Court Judges Appointed for Kaikohe, Manukau, and Napier
5 months ago | 878 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges—Rohan Cochrane, Lynn Hughes, and Derek Whitehead—who will assume their roles in March at Napier, Manukau, and Kaikohe Courts respectively. Each appointee brings extensive legal experience in family and criminal law, with significant involvement in child advocacy, legal aid, and professional committees. Their diverse backgrounds and community engagement highlight their qualifications to serve in the judiciary and support the legal system across New Zealand.
Tags: Judith Collins Rohan Cochrane Lynn Hughes Derek Whitehead Family Law Specialists Ltd New Zealand Law Society Public Defence Service Legal Aid Performance Review Committee Te Hau Awhiowhio Otangarei Trust Board Sentinel ChambersLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Criminal Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
6 months ago | 932 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases awaiting hearing, thanks to coordinated efforts across the justice sector. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, enhanced performance reporting, and upcoming legislative reforms to further expedite justice. This progress significantly benefits victims by reducing delays, stress, and uncertainty, while the Family Court backlog also decreased by 9 percent during the same period.
Tags: Nicole McKee Courts Minister District Court judiciary justice sector criminal backlog Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform victimsLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
6 months ago | 919 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases waiting to be heard, reflecting a coordinated justice sector effort. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, and enhanced performance reporting, resulting in faster justice and reduced stress for victims. Further reforms, such as expanding Community Magistrates' powers and promoting remote court participation, aim to continue this progress and improve court efficiency nationwide.
Tags: Nicole McKee District Court judiciary criminal backlog justice sector victims Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform Auckland metro courts