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Story: Adoption

Adult Adoption Information Act 1985

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The Adult Adoption Information Act 1985 made it possible for adopted children to find out the identity of their birth parents, and vice versa. Both could place a veto on the release of their personal information if the adoption had occurred before the law change.

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TVNZ Television New Zealand

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How to cite this page

Anne Else, Adoption – From secrecy to openness, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/26061/adult-adoption-information-act-1985 (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Anne Else, published 28 February 2011.