The 2014 Family Law reforms introduced on 31 March 2014 were intended to shift the emphasis of New Zealand’s family justice system away from in-Court to out-of-Court
processes. In 2014 the New Zealand Law Foundation generously funded an independent two-phase research project to evaluate these reforms. Phase One (2014-2015) involved the initial scoping, consultation and planning for implementation of the Phase Two nationwide mixed methods study undertaken during 2016-2019.

In Phase Two, an online survey for parents and caregivers who had made or changed parenting arrangements since the reforms took effect was open for nine months from July
2017 to April 2018. [1] This ascertained their views and experiences of making or changing their parenting arrangements and their use of, and satisfaction with, family justice services. The survey was completed by 655 parents or caregivers. The majority of the participants were female (80%) and mothers (78%). Most identified as New Zealand European (87%) and/or Māori (13%). They lived across all regions of New Zealand. One hundred and eighty three of these parents and caregivers participated in an interview with a member of the
research team, mostly by telephone. Almost two-thirds (65%) completed at least one of two follow-up online surveys, at approximately six to eight month intervals.

This research report focuses on data collected by the online surveys and the interview data relating to family justice services. It provides a broad overview of all of the major descriptive findings about parents’ and caregivers’ experiences of, and views on, making parenting arrangements and their use of any family justice services to help achieve this. (From the Executive summary). See also Part 2 (#6776). A research summary of Parts 1 and 2 is available (#6807). Record #6775