Masterton District Court also has a family court, civil court, youth court and disputes tribunal. Family court is run in a separate courtroom from the main courtroom and is not open to the public or news media. The court deals with applications for adoption, care of children which includes custody, access, guardianship, paternity. They also deal with consents for minors to marry, dissolution of marriage, divorce, and domestic violence protection orders. The court's main aim is to assist people as much as possible to sort out their differences.
Counselling is available free of charge through agencies approved by the court.
For issues concerning separation and the care of children, court appearances are intended as a last resort. Counselling and mediation are used to try and resolve the issues and court hearings are usually only necessary when both parties are unable to resolve the problem. The youth court is also considered a last resort for young offenders aged from 14 to 16 who could not be dealt with in a family group conference. The court is not open to the public or the news media. A young offender will be asked to either admit or deny the charge.