Case: [1995] 2 NZLR 3
Once the social worker or police officer is inside your home, they have the right to do certain things to find out if your child’s OK. This includes checking their physical condition, and checking their living conditions, such as whether there’s enough food and other necessities like warm clothes if it’s cold. This means they’d be allowed to do things like opening your cupboards to see if there’s enough food.
Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, s 39(3)
They can then take your child away from you only in serious cases and when they’re very sure about it. To take your child away, they must have a reasonable belief – not just a reasonable suspicion – that removing your child is necessary. Also, if the risk they’re concerned about is “neglect, deprivation or harm”, rather than abuse or ill-treatment, it has to be serious neglect, deprivation or harm.