Those pressing for change to our 66-year-old much-examined and often criticised adoption laws will be hoping the review announced last week bears fruit. (About 90,000 babies were adopted between 1950 and 1980 but in 2020 there were only 125 adoption applications granted by the Family Court.) She was only able to access files held about her adoption because of confusion around her birth date, something which was accepted as special grounds under the law. Submissions on a Ministry of Justice discussion document ‘‘Adoption in Aotearoa New Zealand’’ can be made until August 31. Feedback and ideas from the public will help the Government develop proposals for changes to adoption laws.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 30, 2021 16:18 UTC