If you want to move to somewhere else in New Zealand (called “relocating”) and the other parent doesn’t agree to this, you should apply to the Family Court for a guardianship direction and a Parenting Order. If a Parenting Order is already in place you should apply for a variation to an existing order.
In making a decision in these cases, the Family Court will consider:
the child’s relationships with the two parents
the parents’ relationship with each other
what care arrangements would look like after the move (for example, how far away the child would be from the other parent, and what the cost of travel would be, taking into account the parents’ financial resources)
the child’s age and ability to adapt
what the child wants
the well-being of the parent who wants to move
the advantages for the child of a new environment.
Note: The Care of Children Act recognises that it’s generally in a child’s best interests to continue having a relationship with both parents. It can therefore be difficult for a parent who wants to move to convince the Family Court that this would be in the child’s best interests.