scholarly journals Intersex People in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Challenges for Law and Social Policy: Part I: Critiquing Gender Normalising Surgery

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth McDonald
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Family Law ◽  
Medical Law ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Community Activists ◽  
Legislative Regulation ◽  
The Republic

In this first of two articles dealing with the current issues facing intersex people in Aotearoa New Zealand, the author focuses on what is seen by community activists as their most pressing concern: ongoing genital normalising surgery on intersex infants. The resolution of this issue sits at the interface of criminal law, medical law and family law, and requires nuanced and careful engagement with competing norms of social policy. The article defines "intersex", as compared to "trans", and considers how infant surgery is currently (under)regulated in spite of local and international calls for reform. The author argues that it is time serious consideration is given to legislative regulation of surgery on intersex infants, following overseas initiatives, including the recent enactment in the Republic of Malta.

scholarly journals Supporting grandparent/grandchild contact under the Care of Children Act 2004: an assessment of current options, and a call for change.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Fisher ◽  
Trudy Hutton-Baas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Family Law ◽  
Central Issue ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Legal Standing ◽  
The Law ◽  
Relationship Breakdown ◽  
Associated Family

INTRODUCTION: The Care of Children Act 2004 reformed the law of child guardianship in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, it did not result in any special legal standing for grandparents seeking contact with their grandchildren, so as to ensure their continued presence in a grandchild’s life following a relationship breakdown, or where contact is resisted.METHODS: Non-doctrinal policy law research methods were used to analyse policies that were relied upon during the law’s promulgation, impacts of the law since its enactment, and associated issues that have arisen in its application by practitioners. Litigation to date involving grandparental rights of contact was studied, using Lexis Nexis Westlaw New Zealand, including its family law suite of searchable databases.FINDINGS: The research revealed a number of processes available under the Care of Children Act and associated family law legislation which may be helpful to grandparents who seek contact with grandchildren. However, none of them resolve the central issue of lack of legal standing, which continues to be an important impediment for grandparents who seek assurance of continuing contact with their grandchildren following family breakdown.CONCLUSIONS: Examples of law changes which have occurred in other jurisdictions, notably Canada, are offered in support of reform of the Care of Children Act, which would bring Aotearoa New Zealand more in line with other, more progressive countries in its treatment of grandparent/grandchild relationships. 

scholarly journals Social policy for social work and human services in Aotearoa New Zealand: Diverse perspectives

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-76
Author(s):  
Maidment Jane ◽  
Liz Beddoe
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Human Services ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

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