Supports grows for gay adoption law change

  • Breaking
  • 28/05/2012

By Tova O’Brien

Opposition to New Zealand's 60-year-old adoption law is growing.

A remit supporting gay adoption was passed at a National Party conference over the weekend, and in Parliament normally opposing politicians are working together to try to update the law.

Linda-Jean Kenix has been with her partner for 19 years.  

They have two children together - a biological child each - but because they are a lesbian couple, if they wanted to adopt they would be forbidden by law.

“So we’re raising kids but the fact that we’re not recognised under the law as both clearly having rights under the law is just wrong,” says Ms Kenix.

The Adoption Act is 57 years old, and National MP Nikki Kaye and Green MP Kevin Hague believe it is so archaic they have put their differences aside to modernise it.

“We know there are thousands of same-sex couples bringing up children,” says Ms Kaye.

The pair are drafting legislation which would propose around 40 changes to adoption and surrogacy laws – and so far it is being supported at the top.

“I think it matters more if you love the child, than the sexuality of the parents,” says Prime Minister John Key.

The law change would make it easier for everyone to adopt.

Claudette Hauiti has three children - one of them through the Maori adoption process of whangai - which would be legally recognised under the changes.

“My civil union wife and I can’t legally adopt her as a couple so we’re really welcoming any of the changes,” says Ms Hauiti.

John Key has offered initial support to the bill but that is not to say he would go all the way - he voted against civil unions in 2004 because of demand from his electorate.

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source: newshub archive