I would like to know for the time frame 2000 - today: How many adoptions per origin country were recognised per year by the Department of Internal Affairs? How many Visas are granted by Immigration New Zealand based on overseas adoption by a New Zealand citizen living in New Zealand? Both should be searchable by country of origin and date range
This information was completely missing and unknown by the presenters from the Information Session given by Oranga Tamariki.
Many of the couples in the session were interested in inter-country adoption stats, however this data was not provided.
The only stats we were given is that there was 1 domestic non-kin adoption in 24/25 and 1 in 25/26 with a waiting pool of 46 and 48 applicants each year respectively.
This was incredibly disheartening considering there were 27 potential applicants in the session.
Give a clear understanding of the statistics regarding adopting from overseas countries.
Data not available for release
Tēnā koe, Thank you for your email of 5 February 2026 to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following: I would like to know for the time frame 2000 - today: How many adoptions per origin country were recognised per year by the Department of Internal Affairs? How many Visas are granted by Immigration New Zealand based on overseas adoption by a New Zealand citizen living in New Zealand? Both should be searchable by country of origin and date range On 17 February 2026, under section 14 of the Act, DIA transferred your request to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) because the information you requested was believed to be more closely connected with the functions of MBIE. Our Response We are refusing your request under section 18(f) of the Act, as the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research. A child moving to New Zealand based on overseas adoption would apply for a visa under the Dependent Child Resident Visa Category. Immigration New Zealand does not record whether a child is adopted or not in a searchable format. Obtaining this information would therefore require a manual review of applications under this visa category, which from 2018 alone total 15,484 applications. The task to review these applications would remove MBIE staff from their core duties and therefore the greater public interest would not be served. In accordance with section 18A of the Act, we have considered whether fixing a charge under section 15 or extending the time limit under section 15A would enable the request to be granted but it is my view it would not. In accordance with section 18B of the Act, I have considered whether consulting with you would remove the reason for refusal, however, in my view it would not as to obtain the requested information would inevitably involve the manual search of records. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact inzoias@mbie.govt.nz.
0 Votes
Agency responded