Grandparents’ rights, benefits and support in NZ
Did you know that there are approximately 10,000 grandparents raising grandchildren full time around New Zealand? That’s a lot of grown Kiwis who have now watched three generations of Sesame Street.
If you’re one of the many wonderful grandparents taking on the parenting role, you are entitled to various legal rights under the Care of Children Act 2004.
Here’s a little more about what that means for you and your mokopuna.
Understanding grandparents' rights
Getting your head around your exact rights isn’t as straight-forward as you’d hope, mostly because a grandparent isn’t automatically given the legal status of guardian. In fact, the Court must grant grandparents the legal status of guardian.
A guardian, by law, has all the duties, rights, and responsibilities of a parent.
For example, those rights include making decisions about a child’s education, medical treatment, and place of living. Responsibilities also include providing day-to-day care for the healthy development of the child.
If you are looking after your grandchild but have not been appointed by the Court as a guardian, you cannot legally make any kind of major decision about that child without consent from their legal guardians (usually the mother and father).
You can apply to be appointed a guardian if you think you should be a guardian (you do not need permission from the child’s parents to do so, but the Court will make a decision based on your application).
Support available for grandparents raising grandchildren
Financial support
There are a couple of options for financial support, depending on your situation.
The Unsupported Child’s Benefit is designed for those caring for an under-18-year-old full time, who is not the child’s parent or step-parent. It is a weekly payment that may help cover some of the costs of looking after your grandchild.
Another option is the Orphan’s Benefit, which is for children whose parents have passed away or are otherwise unable to provide care. This is also a weekly payment.
If you have more questions, it’s important to speak to Work and Income to see which options are best for you and your situation.
Legal support
One of the best resources for grandparents with questions about the legal system is the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren website. They offer a free advocacy service, and can answer countless questions about the court system, guardianship, and more. Plus, they have free membership and can offer lots of helpful tips on parenting.
You can also contact the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for information about the law, or you can try the Family Court Navigator Service for free guidance on family court proceedings.
Looking after the grandkids long term
Every hat in the country is off to those raising kids not just for the first time – but the second. There are certainly endless highs when it comes to bringing up little ones, but no one is denying the hard work, the tough discipline, and the costs of caring for children.
Speaking of costs, it’s hard enough for parents who work full time, let alone grandparents who may be approaching or in retirement, to pay all the expenses of raising a child. Some estimates suggest raising a child can costs around $15,834 per year for a medium-spend budget, which could quickly use up pension payments.
As a grandparent with these kinds of responsibilities, Seniors Life Insurance may be a helpful tool to provide a little peace of mind, that should you pass away or become terminally ill, your loved ones will be protected. Request a quote to get started and to find out more.
30 Jul 2025