Need help finding your way through the Family Court process? Kaiārahi – Family Court Navigators offer a free service and are here to help you.
A Family Court Kaiārahi can help you:
The Kaiārahi service is free. Kaiārahi do not give legal advice.
Find out more about the Kaiārahi service here [PDF, 336 KB]
You can contact your local Family Court Kaiārahi in the following ways:
All information you share with Kaiārahi will remain confidential. The Ministry of Justice will manage your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
The Ministry of Justice commissioned Malatest International to complete the evaluation in the second half of 2023. The purpose of the evaluation was to understand whether the Kaiārahi service was providing the intended assistance and navigation support to those going through, or considering applying to, the Family Court. This is the first evaluation of the Kaiārahi service.
Evaluation findings
The evaluation has shown the Kaiārahi service is positively contributing to the community. As set out in the report, the Kaiārahi ability to be present in the community is seen by whānau and community organisations as a strength of the service. The Kaiārahi navigation support for whānau helps to improve access and the experience for participants in the Family Court.
While the Kaiārahi role evolved over time, flexibility in the job description has allowed Kaiārahi to respond to community needs while maintaining separation from undertaking legal advice and/or social work.
Kaiārahi educate community groups and regularly facilitate information sessions to increase awareness of the Family Court. Maintaining networks with community providers to understand community needs is a key part of the Kaiārahi role.
The demand to be available in the courthouse and in the community at the same time is challenging. All groups talked about the benefits of having the Kaiārahi at their sites and the challenge when they are offsite. This is especially difficult in places with only one or two Kaiārahi covering a large geographical area.
Respondents have acknowledged that the Kaiārahi have a strong community presence and extensive professional network to increase participation in Family Court proceedings and linking whānau to community agencies for wrap-around support. The evaluation also found that 75% of Family Court staff agreed that Kaiārahi improved the experience of participants and whānau.
Kaiārahi have helped take away the day-to-day queries about the Family Court process/applications from Registry staff and resolving matters before they enter the Family Court.
Opportunities to strengthen the service
The report also suggested opportunities to further refine the Kaiārahi service. The Ministry acknowledges that the Kaiārahi service had a difficult start, facing challenges from COVID-19. The report covers some of the challenges and areas for improvements since implementation, with work already underway to address those.
The evaluation has highlighted that some of the technology used by the Kaiārahi are not fit for purpose, which the Ministry is actively looking into. The Ministry is also working on education for registry staff and managers to support collaboration and is clearly defining operating procedures to provide clarity for Kaiārahi.
Find out more about the Kaiārahi Family Court Navigator Service Evaluation Report here [PDF, 6.7 MB]
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