Family mediation for separating parents (New Zealand)
Reviewed 19 September 2026 · New Zealand · signposting, not legal or financial advice
In New Zealand family mediation is called Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), run for the Ministry of Justice by Fair Way. It is free for up to twelve hours, and the Family Court expects you to have tried it before it hears a dispute about care of children, unless there is violence or urgency.
Before FDR you will usually take the free Parenting Through Separation course. What you agree can become a parenting plan, or a Parenting Order if you ask the court to make it formal.
Where to get help
Ministry of Justice: find a service to help with disputes Visit › The official route into Family Dispute Resolution and the other services that help parents agree without court. Phone: 0800 774 422. New Zealand Fair Way Resolution Visit › The provider that delivers Family Dispute Resolution mediation for the Ministry of Justice. Phone: 0800 77 44 20. New Zealand Ministry of Justice: care of children Visit › Overview of parenting arrangements, the course, mediation and the Family Court. New ZealandThe basics in New Zealand
Sources checked September 2026. Government pages change; the links go to the official page for the latest.
How it usually works
Whatever route you take, a calm shared record helps. ParenThing keeps messages, the calendar, costs and handovers in one private place both parents can see, and your data is held in the EU. See how it works for New Zealand families.
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