The family law reforms introduced on 31 March 2014 marked the most significant changes to New Zealand’s family justice system since the establishment of the Family Court in 1981. They largely focused on Care of Children Act 2004 matters, which include issues relating to children’s post-separation care arrangements such as day-to-day care and contact. The changes were intended to shift the emphasis away from resolving such parenting disputes within the Family Court to encouraging and supporting people to reach agreement themselves through access to out-of-court services including the Ministry of Justice website; the Ministry of Justice 0800 2 AGREE phone line; Parenting Through Separation (PTS); the Family Legal Advice Service (FLAS); and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR). The reforms also made changes to the way the Family Court operated with the aim of making it more efficient and effective.In 2014, the New Zealand Law Foundation generously funded an independent two-phase research project to evaluate these reforms. Phase One (2014-2015) [1] 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. [2] This ascertained their views and experiences of making or changing their parenting arrangements and their use of, and satisfaction with, family justice services. The majority of the 655 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 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 summary outlines the major findings from the online surveys and interviews with the parents and caregivers who participated in the study. [3]

See also the full reports, parts 1 (#6775) & 2 (#6776. Record #6807