What is the Hague Convention?
(let us simplify this for you without all the legal jargon)
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty that provides an expeditious method to return a child who was wrongfully taken by a parent from one country to another country.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a signed signatory to this international treaty and has been since 1st August 1991.
Currently there is 103 countries signed to this international treaty.
It was originally drafted to stop fathers taking their children to eastern European countries without the mother’s consent, fast forward to 21st century and the tables have flipped, we are now seeing an increase in mothers taking their tamariki to flee from Family and Sexual violence from their perpetrators to keep themselves safe.
There are 5 “defences” that can be used in court against ordering your tamariki/rangathai to return back overseas out of Aotearoa New Zealand to their “Habitual Residence” (bearing in mind that the courts here are strict on their interpretation on these defences).
1 – More then 12 months has passed since the removal or retention
2 - The left behind parent requesting the return did not exercise their parental rights
3 – Grave risk of psychological and physical harm should tamariki be returned
4 – Tamaraiki/rangathai object to return (and are 16 years and over)
5 – The left behind parent acquiescence (consented) to the tamariki leaving in the first place
Always consult with a lawyer that is EXPERIANCED in international family law around the above.
We work with a few well experienced and trusted lawyers should you need recommendations.
Why tamariki may not be returned from a Hague Convention Country
In some cases, a judge in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas may decide not to return tamariki to the country where the tamariki usually lives.
This may happen if:
-
the person wanting the return of their tamariki wasn’t using their custody rights when their tamariki was taken or kept overseas.
-
the person wanting the return of their tamariki had agreed to the child being taken to or kept in the other country.
-
the tamariki would be at risk of physical, mental or emotional harm if they came back to the country they usually lived in.
-
Tamariki wishes not to come back and is old enough for their views to be considered.
-
Tamariki are settled in the new country and has been living there for more than 12 months.
-
returning the child would be against their basic freedoms and human rights.
Who do we awhi/support?
New Zealand Hague Collective awhi/supports parents who have experienced family and sexual violence and have fled from overseas, returning home to Aotearoa New Zealand seeking safety with their tamariki.
We bring lived experience and professional understanding from working within the Family and Sexual Violence sector in Aotearoa. We recognise that violence can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or religion.
Our mahi involves working alongside trusted organisations across the motu to provide wraparound support. Where additional help is needed, we connect parents with services that can offer specialised care and advocacy.
Importantly, we do not support left-behind offenders. Our focus is solely on protecting and empowering survivors and their tamariki.