The commencement of the Family Proceedings (Dissolution of Marriage or Civil Union for Family Violence) Amendment Act 2024, which amends the Family Proceeding Act 1980, comes into force on 17 October 2025. The Amendment Act received Royal assent on 17 October 2024.
These changes provide greater protection for victims of family violence, allowing them a new avenue for applying for a dissolution of marriage or civil union as a protected person without having to live separately for two years as required by the irreconcilable breakdown of relationship grounds. The new criteria for getting a dissolution as a protected person is –
- Either the applicant or their spouse or partner must be domiciled in New Zealand, and
- The applicant has a final protection order, or registered foreign protection, in place against their spouse or partner.
To read the full dissolution letter, click here.