The Adoption Act 1955 is 70 – Reporting Back, Demanding Change

Reflection and call to action – 6 November 2025

On 6 November 2025, Adoption Action held an event in Wellington to recognise 70 years since the Adoption Act 1955 became law.  The hui was attended by adopted people, reform advocates, people working in Aotearoa’s adoption communities, representatives from government agencies, and, for a morning session, the Hon Minister McKee.

The Opening Address delivered by the Children’s Commissioner, Claire Achmad can be viewed here.

Reporting Back, Damanding Change – Speakers

Reporting Back, Demanding Change – Adoption Action Slides

If funding is secured, Adoption Action hopes to hold a conference in 2026 where the latest research and data can be presented, and adoption can be explored more broadly.  The proposed event will be widely advertised.

Adoption Act 1955 in 2025

The Adoption Act 1955 creates a legacy of secrecy, shame, loss and isolation that continues to impact the lives of more than two million people who have a direct connection to an Adoption Order.  Current legislation perpetuates this legacy by, among other things, sanctioning a second false birth certificate. 

The intergenerational trauma and harms caused by the Adoption Act 1955 was recognised by the Ministry of Justice in its 2021 and 2022 discussion documents.  In the Government response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the New Zealand Prime Minister made scant reference to the harms caused by adoption.  Adoption Action considers this minor inclusion a direct result of the compelling submitted evidence from mothers and adopted people.

Despite this official recognition of the harms of adoption, no action has been taken to remedy the harmful legislation that remains in place, or to restore the wellbeing and mana of adopted people and their broken family and whakapapa links, nor is it included in the current Government’s strategic documents.

In its current form, the Adoption Act 1955 breaches the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and does not provide today’s children with adequate rights and provisions to enable them access to their whakapapa, cultural heritage, family and whānau history.

About us

Adoption Action was established in 2010 by volunteers concerned about the harm caused by the Adoption Act 1955.

Adoption Action acknowledges the members who advocated for adoption law reform since the 1970s.  Sadly, three champions, Keith Griffiths, Mary Iwanek and Robert Ludbrook died before their vision for adoption law reform came about.  Inspired by their dedication, Adoption Action continues the mahi educating and advocating for a legal framework that protects the human rights of today’s children and all people impacted by an Adoption Order now and in the future.

Adoption Action acknowledges the many volunteers who, over the past 70 years, have facilitated support groups, shared their adoption experiences, searched records for lost ones, and supported people to reclaim their truthful identity through reconnection with kin and whakapapa.

Adoption Action’s mahi has included lobbying politicians, presenting submissions, and appearing at tribunal hearings.  Of particular significance was the claim taken in 2013 by Adoption Action to the Human Rights Tribunal for the discriminatory provision contained in the Adoption Act 1955.  The Tribunal’s decision can be viewed here.  There is a summary here (p6).  Despite this positive outcome and many attempts at reform over the last 48 years the Adoption Act 1955 remains the law.

If the Adoption Act 1955 remains in force, Adoption Orders, whether made yesterday, today or tomorrow, exposes children and their families/whānau to the same harms endured by so many over the past 70 years.

Adoption Action seeks urgent action by government.

For more information contact:  AdoptionActionInc@gmail.com