This week, the Government took decisive action to protect children by passing the Adoption Amendment Bill under urgency. The new law temporarily suspends New Zealand’s recognition of certain overseas adoptions for citizenship and immigration purposes—closing dangerous loopholes that have allowed children to fall through the cracks.
For decades, Section 17 of the Adoption Act 1955 has allowed New Zealanders to adopt children from overseas. But recent revelations have exposed serious loopholes in the system— loopholes and flaws that have left children vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
The key issues include:
- No background checks: Adoptive parents overseas have not been required to undergo criminal or child protection screening.
- Bypassing domestic safeguards: Individuals with histories of violence or sexual abuse have been able to adopt children abroad and bring them into New Zealand.
- Lack of oversight: There is no reliable data on how many of the ~1,000 children adopted internationally each year are being mistreated or exploited.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, who introduced the bill, pointed to a recent example: the case of Joseph Auga Matamata, who adopted three boys from Samoa despite prior convictions. One child was pulled from school and forced into domestic servitude. The others escaped by climbing a fence in the dead of night. Matamata was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2020.
“This abuse is preventable,” said Minister McKee in an interview with The Platform. “And this Government is acting decisively to prevent future harm.”
The new legislation introduces a temporary suspension of:
- Recognition of international adoptions under Section 17 of the Adoption Act 1955 for immigration and citizenship purposes.
- The Family Court’s ability to grant overseas adoptions under Section 3 of the Act.
This suspension will remain in place until 1 July 2027, unless revoked earlier by the Governor-General.
While this move may disappoint some adoptive families with genuine and loving intentions, it’s a necessary step to ensure that child safety is at the heart of our adoption laws. Too often, adoption systems—both here and abroad—prioritise adult desires over the well-being and safety of children.
This reform is a welcome shift in focus. It sends a clear message: New Zealand will not be a destination for exploitative or unsafe adoption practices.
*Written by Family First staff writers
The Platform interview with Minister Nicole McKee
