12 Jul 2019

Māori adoptees deprived of whakapapa call for law change

From Morning Report, 7:49 am on 12 July 2019

Maori adoptees are calling for urgent reform of New Zealand's adoption legislation, saying it is depriving Maori children of their whakapapa.

Two babies on knee of an older woman on the grass in front of a 70s car.

Paul Eagle with his adopted family Photo: Supplied

Adopted people can access their original birth certificate when they reach 20 years of age unless a veto is put in place by their birth parents.

But many told RNZ reporter Te Aniwa Hurihanagnui that's far too late.