Currently there is no country which CYF has an agreement with, which would permit a baby to be adopted by a single applicant.  Hong Kong allows a single applicant to apply to adopt an older child or a child with a disability.  By 'older child' the age would be around 6 years of age.  By disability this could mean a moderate to severe learning and/or physical disability.  There is often an assumption that a single applicant would be female.  This would need further clarification if the single applicant was male. These guidelines do change so please check with CYF. Gay/Lesbian couples wanting to adopt Only one person in the relationship can apply to adopt and the other person would have to apply for additional guardianship.  People who are in a de facto relationship, gay or lesbian couples can't apply to adopt as a couple. With birth parent(s) selecting who they would like to adopt their baby, the difficulty might be in regards to birth parents being more likely to prefer to select a married couple. However this may not always be the case and a birth parent has the right to choose whoever she wants. Age Limit There is no age limit to adopt in New Zealand.  It is the birth mum's choice as to who she wishes to adopt her baby. New Zealanders Living Overseas Wanting to Adopt You have to be a resident of New Zealand to adopt in New Zealand - both domestic and international.