What is guardianship
of a child?
Guardianship is the term used to describe the bundle of rights and responsibilities of a parent (or a person who has been appointed as a child's guardian).
A guardian of a child is someone the law has given all the duties, rights, responsibilities and powers that a parent has in bringing up that child. Every child in New Zealand has at least one natural guardian (the mother). Most children in New Zealand have two guardians (the other guardian being the father).
Although most parents will be guardians of their children, others can be guardians of those children as well. A child can have more than one guardian, and they may include parents and any number of others. In some cases the Family or High Court may become the guardian of a child.
Even if guardian separate or divorce, they retain their rights of Guardianship. It is uncommon for a Guardian to be removed as a Guardian by the Family Court.
A Guardian who does not have day-to-day care (formerly custody) of a child, may feel excluded. However a guardian has the right to participate in important decisions regarding the child. If Guardians cannot agree on these decisions, they can ask the Family Court to make a decision on the Guardianship issue in dispute.
Contact Family Lawyer
Antoinette Vujnovich, family lawyer, is available by appointment at the following locations:
Waihi, Bay of Plenty
Waihi Community Resource Centre
4 Mueller St, Waihi
p: (07) 929 7982
m: 021 210 0930
Katikati, Bay of Plenty
15 Talisman Drive, Katikati
p: (07) 929 7982
m: 021 210 0930
Manukau City, Auckland
Level 1, 3/12 Laidlaw Way,
East Tamaki
p: (07) 929 7982
m: 021 210 0930