Facing an urgent family or custody situation in New Zealand? If anyone is in immediate danger, call 111 now. Otherwise, Legal Hotline's free information line answers 24/7 on 0800 461 100, so you can understand your options straight away — including Protection Orders and urgent without-notice applications through the Family Court. It is a free AI legal assistant trained on New Zealand law and gives legal information, not advice. A paid consultation with a New Zealand lawyer can be booked right on the call.
Free legal information, 24/7. Want a lawyer? Book a one-hour consultation with a New Zealand lawyer for NZ$295 (GST inclusive) — right on the call.
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 111 now and ask for the Police. Free, confidential help is available any time: Women's Refuge on 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843), Shine on 0508 744 633, and Safe to Talk. You do not have to face this alone.
Call the free Legal Hotline on 0800 461 100, any time of day. You will get free information about your family law situation immediately, so you understand your options. It is a free AI legal assistant trained on New Zealand law and gives legal information, not advice — it is not a law firm and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. A paid consultation with a New Zealand lawyer can be booked right on the call.
If you are experiencing family violence, you can apply to the Family Court for a Protection Order under the Family Violence Act 2018. In an urgent situation you can make a "without notice" application, where a judge can grant a Temporary Protection Order — often within about 24 to 48 hours — before the other person is told. The free information line can explain how Protection Orders work and what a without-notice application involves.
If you have urgent concerns about the day-to-day care of a child — for example a child being taken or kept without agreement — you may be able to make a without-notice application to the Family Court under the Care of Children Act 2004. The Court can make urgent orders about a child's care and contact. The free information line can explain your options so you know where you stand.
Free help is available alongside the hotline: your local Community Law Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau, Women's Refuge (0800 REFUGE), and Shine. For information on your legal options, the free line answers 24/7 across family law and civil law. A paid consultation with a New Zealand family lawyer can be booked through Legal Hotline right on the call.
How do I get urgent family law help in New Zealand?
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 111. Otherwise call the free Legal Hotline on 0800 461 100, 24/7, for free information on your family law situation, including Protection Orders and urgent Family Court applications. It is an AI legal assistant trained on New Zealand law and gives legal information, not advice. A paid consultation with a New Zealand lawyer can be booked right on the call.
How do I get a Protection Order in New Zealand?
You can apply to the Family Court for a Protection Order under the Family Violence Act 2018. In an urgent situation you can make a "without notice" application, where a judge can grant a Temporary Protection Order — often within about 24 to 48 hours — before the other person is told. The free information line on 0800 461 100 can explain how this works.
What can I do if my child has been taken or kept from me?
If a child has been taken or kept without agreement, you may be able to make a without-notice application to the Family Court under the Care of Children Act 2004, and the Court can make urgent orders about the child's care. Call the free hotline on 0800 461 100 for information on your options. If a child is in immediate danger, call 111.
Is there free family violence support in New Zealand?
Yes. Women's Refuge is on 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843), Shine is on 0508 744 633, and your local Community Law Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau can also help. The free Legal Hotline on 0800 461 100 gives legal information on your options, 24/7.
Is the family law information line free to call?
Yes. The information line on 0800 461 100 is free to call, 24/7, with no appointment. It gives legal information, not advice, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Can I speak to a family lawyer through Legal Hotline now?
Yes — a paid consultation with a New Zealand lawyer (NZ$295, GST inclusive) can be booked right on the call. the free information line on 0800 461 100 is live 24/7 to help you understand your options, including Protection Orders. Community Law Centres and the Family Court can also help with urgent matters.
Call the free information line any time for clear legal information — and book a NZ$295 consultation (GST inclusive) with a New Zealand lawyer right on the call.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.