Download This PaperWhose Responsibility are Our Children?
A Bainham (ed) The International Survey of Family Law (1999 edition, Jordan Publishing, Bristol, 1999).
Victoria University of Wellington Legal Research Paper No. 38/2019
17 Pages Posted: 5 Apr 2015 Last revised: 21 Jun 2019
Date Written: 1999
Abstract
1997 was a landmark year for many aspects of family law in New Zealand. The National/New Zealand First Coalition brought with it a code of social responsibility for parents on welfare. Prince allowed a claim for negligence against social workers charged with investigating child neglect. Quilter held that marriage laws should not be applied to homosexual couples, despite debates over whether it is discriminatory under section 19 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. There is ongoing litigation surrounding the new domestic violence laws. Shortland involved the rights that family have over consultation with doctors when a family member needs expensive medical treatment. There are ongoing discussions about the place of Māori custom in adoption law. Finally, two cases arose about the restrictions regarding the naming of children.
Keywords: Social Responsibility, Negligence, Child Abuse, Statutory Scheme, Homosexual Marriage, Discrimination, Right to Medical Treatment, Whāngai, Whānau, Child Naming.
JEL Classification: K39
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Bill Atkin (Contact Author)
Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka - Faculty of Law ( email )
PO Box 600
Wellington, 6140
New Zealand