What work programmes are underway, if any, to continue reform of the Adoption Act 1955?

Answer

On 16 September 2025, Parliament passed the Adoption Amendment Act under urgency, immediately and temporarily suspending New Zealand’s recognition of unsafe overseas adoptions for citizenship and immigration purposes. The suspension will last until July 2027 unless repealed earlier or replaced by the enactment of a long-term legislative solution. I intend to introduce a bill that sets out a long-term solution in this Parliamentary term. It will be referred to a select committee for public submissions. Work on domestic adoption law reform remains paused at this time.