Attending Family Court in New Zealand can be intimidating, but as of 2026, there are strengthened legal protections (via the Victims of Family Violence Legislation Act 2025) specifically designed to stop abusers from using the court system to continue their control.

1. Important People to Know

When you arrive, you aren’t alone. Look for these specific roles:

Kaiārahi (Family Court Navigator): They are free and available at every court. They don’t give legal advice, but they can guide you through the building, explain the process, and help you find support services.
Court Victim Advisor: They are your main point of contact for practical questions about hearing dates and arranging financial assistance.
Lawyer for Child: If your case involves children, the Judge will appoint a lawyer specifically to represent the children’s best interests. They are independent and do not work for you or the abuser.

2. Safety Measures You Can Request

You do not have to sit in the same space as the abuser. You have the right to request:

Separate Waiting Areas: Ask court security or your Kaiārahi for a “safe room” or “whānau room” so you don’t have to wait in the public gallery with the other party.
Security Escorts: You can ask security to walk you to your car or the bus stop after the hearing.
Alternative Evidence: As discussed previously, you can give evidence via CCTV or from behind a screen. Note: Since February 2026, the court has stronger powers to grant these requests to prevent “litigation abuse.”

3. Courtroom Etiquette & Rules

The Family Court is more private than the District Court, but it is still formal:

Support Persons: You are entitled to bring a support person (friend, family, or refuge worker). You usually need to introduce them to the Judge when you start.
Electronic Devices: Phones must be turned completely off or on “Do Not Disturb.” Recording or taking photos is strictly illegal and can lead to a fine or arrest.
Note-Taking: You can take notes with a pen and paper. If you disagree with something the abuser says, do not interrupt. Write it down and wait for the Judge to ask for your response.
Addressing the Judge: Refer to the Judge as “Your Honour,” “Judge,” “Sir,” or “Ma’am.”

4. Dealing with “Litigation Abuse”

Abusers sometimes file endless applications just to keep you coming back to court. Under the 2025/2026 updates:

Judges can now more easily identify “unmeritorious” (pointless) applications.
The court can put a “restraint” on the abuser, meaning they must get the Judge’s permission before they are allowed to file any more paperwork against you.

5. Financial Support for Attendance

If you have to travel a long distance or stay overnight to attend court, you may be eligible for the Victims Assistance Scheme. This can help cover:

Travel costs (petrol or bus fares).
Accommodation if the court is far from home.
Childcare costs while you are in the hearing.

Tip: If you are nervous, ask your Kaiārahi for a “court tour” a few days before your hearing. Seeing the empty courtroom and knowing where you will sit can significantly reduce anxiety.

Finding Kaiārahi

Finding a Kaiārahi (Family Court Navigator) is one of the best steps you can take. Their role is to be your “human guide”—they help you understand the court’s language, find the right rooms, and ensure you feel safe while you’re there.

How to Contact Your Local Kaiārahi

The easiest way to reach a Kaiārahi is via their dedicated regional email addresses. You can also call the general court line and ask to be put through to the “Family Court Navigator.”

Location	Contact Email	Phone
Auckland Central	northernkaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 268 787
Waitākere (West AKL)	northernkaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 268 787
North Shore	northernkaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 268 787
Manukau	ManukauCentral.Kaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 224 733
Papakura / Pukekohe	ManukauCentral.Kaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 224 733
Hamilton / Waikato	Kaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 268 787
Wellington	Kaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 268 787
Christchurch	Kaiarahi@justice.govt.nz	0800 268 787

3 Ways a Kaiārahi Can Help You Today

A “Dry Run” of the Court: You can email them and say: “I have a hearing coming up and I am a survivor of family violence. Can I meet you for a walk-through of the building so I know where the safe waiting areas are?”
Safety Arrival Planning: You can coordinate with them so they meet you at the front entrance when you arrive, ensuring you don’t have to stand in the public lobby alone.
Explaining the Paperwork: If you receive a confusing letter from the court or the abuser’s lawyer, you can show it to the Kaiārahi. While they can’t give legal advice, they can explain exactly what the document is and what your next deadline is.

Important Tips

The “Safe Room”: Every major court (like Manukau or Auckland Central) has a secure room for victims. When you email the Kaiārahi, ask them: “Can you confirm there is a safe room available for me on [Date of Hearing]?”
Security Alerts: If the abuser has a history of showing up early or waiting in the parking lot, tell the Kaiārahi. They can alert Court Security to keep an eye out for the abuser’s vehicle or behavior.

Giving Evidence

In New Zealand, the Evidence Act 2006 allows you to give evidence in “alternative ways” to reduce the trauma of being in the same room as an abuser. As of 2025/2026, new laws have strengthened these rights, making it easier for victims of family violence to avoid face-to-face confrontation in the Family Court.

1. Your Options for Giving Evidence

You can request one or a combination of the following “Special Measures”:

Behind a Screen: You sit in the witness box, but a physical screen or one-way glass is placed so you cannot see the abuser (and they cannot see you), but the Judge and lawyers still can.
CCTV / Video Link: You give your evidence from a separate, safe room in the courthouse or a remote location via a high-quality video feed.
Pre-Recorded Evidence: In some cases, you can record your “evidence-in-chief” (your main story) on video before the trial starts, so you don’t have to repeat it live.

2. How to Request These Measures

You do not have to wait for the Judge to offer this. You must be proactive:

The 28-Day Rule: Your lawyer must generally file a written notice with the court at least 28 days before the hearing stating which alternative way you want to use.
If You Are Self-Represented: Write a letter to the Court Registrar as soon as you get your hearing date. State: “I am a victim of family violence and I wish to give my evidence via CCTV [or behind a screen] under Section 105 of the Evidence Act 2006 to ensure my safety and ability to testify.”
The “Presumption of Entitlement”: For children (under 18), the law assumes they will use an alternative way unless there is a very strong reason not to. For adults in family violence cases, the law has shifted to make these requests much more likely to be granted automatically.

3. Protection from “Personal Cross-Examination”

One of the most important rules in NZ (Section 95 of the Evidence Act) is that an abuser is not allowed to personally ask you questions if they are representing themselves.

If the abuser does not have a lawyer, the Judge will appoint a “Court-Appointed Lawyer” specifically to ask you the abuser’s questions. This prevents the abuser from using the courtroom as a place to further harass or intimidate you.

4. Support Persons

You are legally entitled to have a support person sit near you while you give evidence.

This can be a friend, family member, or a specialist from an agency like Women’s Refuge or Shine.
Their job is to provide quiet, emotional support. They cannot speak for you or “prompt” your answers, but their presence can help keep you grounded.