You may decide to parent your child with the help of your partner or family, or you may decide to bring up your child yourself.
New Zealand: Social Welfare can give you details of available benefits.
Guardianship
Guardianship is a legal arrangement between the birth parents (the natural guardians) and the caregivers.
The birth parent(s) and the caregivers stay in contact with each other. Once an agreement is made about who is going to have custody and responsibility for raising your child, the arrangement can only be changed by returning to the court.
Guardianship usually occurs within families.
New Zealand: You can find out more from your local Community Law Centre.
Adoption
When a child is adopted, the rights and responsibilities of parenting are given legally by the birth parent(s) to the adoptive parents.
‘Open adoption’ is when the birth parents and the adopting family stay in contact with each other.
If a member of your family is able to raise your child, you might like to consider adoption or guardianship within your family.
New Zealand: You can phone an adoptions social worker at the Adoption Information Services Unit of your local Children, Young Persons and their Families Service for information on adoption, benefits and financial support.
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