Section 2 — Adoption Act 1955: Interpretation

2 Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— Adopted child means any person concerning whom an adoption order is in force Adoptive parent means any person who adopts a child in accordance with an adoption order; and, in the case of an order made in favour of a husband and wife on their joint application, means both the husband and wife; but does not include a spouse who merely consents to an adoption Adoption order means an adoption order made under this Act; and does not include an interim order Adoption order: this definition was amended, as from 1 April 1963, by section 2(a) Adoption Amendment Act 1962 (1962 No 134) by omitting the words “ or the Maori Land Court ” . Adoption order: this definition was amended, as from 24 September 1965, by section 5(2) Adoption Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 32) by omitting the words “ by a Magistrate's Court ” . Chief executive means the chief executive of the Department Chief executive: this definition was inserted, as from 1 October 1999, by section 13 Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Act 1999 (1999 No 82). Child means a person who is under the age of 20 years; and includes any person in respect of whom an interim order is in force, notwithstanding that the person has attained that age Child: this definition was amended by section 6 Age of Majority Act 1970 (1970 No 137) by substituting the expression “ 20 ” for the word “ twenty-one ” . Child Welfare Officer [Repealed] Child Welfare Officer: this definition was repealed, as from 1 April 1972, by section 23(1) Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60). See SR 1972/37. Commonwealth country means a country that is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations; and includes every territory for whose international relations the Government of that country is responsible; and also includes the Republic of Ireland as if that country were a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations Commonwealth representative means an Ambassador, High Commissioner, Minister, Chargé d'Affaires, Consular Officer, Trade Commissioner, or Tourist Commissioner of a Commonwealth country (including New Zealand); and includes any person lawfully acting for any such officer; and also includes any diplomatic secretary on the staff of any such Ambassador, High Commissioner, Minister, or Chargé d'Affaires Court means a Family Court or a District Court of civil jurisdiction; and includes the High Court acting in its jurisdiction on appeal under this Act Court: this definition was substituted, as from 1 April 1963, by section 2(c) Adoption Amendment Act 1962 (1962 No 134). Court: this definition was substituted, as from 24 September 1965, by section 2(1) Adoption Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 32). Court: this definition was substituted, as from 1 October 1981, by section 17(1) Family Courts Act 1980 (1980 No 161). Department means the department for the time being responsible for the administration of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 Department: this definition was inserted, as from 1 October 1999, by section 13 Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Act 1999 (1999 No 82). Director-General [Repealed] Director-General: this definition was substituted, as from 1 April 1972, for a definition of the term Superintendent of Child Welfare by section 23(2) Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60). See SR 1972/37. Director-General: this definition was substituted, as from 1 April 1990, by section 36(1)(a) Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Act 1990 (1990 No 26). Director-General: this definition was repealed, as from 1 October 1999, by section 13 Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Act 1999 (1999 No 82). Father [Repealed] Father: this definition was repealed, as from 1 January 1970, by section 12(2) Status of Children Act 1969 (1969 No 18). Interim order means an interim order made under this Act Maori means a person who is a Maori within the meaning of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 Maori: this definition was amended, as from 23 March 1995, by section 2(1) Adoption Amendment Act 1995 (1995 No 4) by substituting the words “ Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 ” for the words “ The Maori Affairs Act 1953 ” . See section 3 of that Act as to the appointment of Community Officers under section 4 of the Maori Community Development Act 1962 not to be questioned on the grounds that the person was not validly appointed. Publish , in relation to any advertisement, means— (a) Insert in any newspaper or other periodical publication printed and published in New Zealand; or (b) Bring to the notice of members of the public in New Zealand in any other manner whatsoever: Registrar , in relation to any Court, means the Registrar of that Court and includes any Deputy Registrar Registrar: this definition was amended, as from 24 September 1965, by section 2(2) Adoption Amendment Act 1965 (1965 No 32) by inserting the words “ and includes any Deputy Registrar ” . Relative , in relation to any child, means a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt, whether of the full blood, of the half blood, or by affinity Relative: this definition was substituted, as from 1 January 1970, by section 12(2) Status of Children Act 1969 (1969 No 18). Social Worker — (a) In relation to any application or proposed application by a Maori, whether jointly or singly, for an adoption order in respect of a Maori child, means— (i) Any Maori person employed as a Social Worker under Part 5 of the State Sector Act 1988 in the Department; or (ii) Any member of the Maori community nominated, after consultation with the Maori community, by the chief executive to carry out the duties of a Social Worker under this Act in respect of the adoption: (b) In relation to any other application or proposed application for an adoption order, means— (i) Any person employed as a Social Worker under Part 5 of the State Sector Act 1988 in the Department; or (ii) If the Court so directs, any member of the Maori community nominated, after consultation with the Maori community, by the chief executive to carry out the duties of a Social Worker under this Act in respect of the adoption: Social Worker: this definition was substituted, as from 1 April 1972, for the definition Child Welfare Officer by section 23(1) Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60). See SR 1972/37. Social Worker: this definition was amended by section 8(1) Maori Purposes Act 1974 (1974 No 144) by substituting the words “ Community Officer ” for the words “ Welfare Officer ” . Social Worker: this definition was amended, as from 1 April 1990, by section 36(1) Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Act 1990 (1990 No 26) by substituting the words “ employed as such under Part 5 of the State Sector Act 1988 in the Department of Social Welfare ” for the words “ under the Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 ” . Social Worker: this definition was substituted, as from 23 March 1995, by section 2(2) Adoption Amendment Act 1995 (1995 No 4). See section 3 of that Act as to the appointment of Community Officers under section 4 of the Maori Community Development Act 1962 not to be questioned on the grounds that the person was not validly appointed. Social Worker: this definition was amended, as from 1 October 1999, by section 13 Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Act 1999 (1999 No 82) by omitting the words “ of Social Welfare ” , and by substituting the words “ chief executive ” for the words “ Director-General ” . Superintendent of Child Welfare [Repealed] Superintendent of Child Welfare: this definition was repealed, as from 1 April 1972, by section 23(2) Department of Social Welfare Act 1971 (1971 No 60). See SR 1972/37. Compare: 1908 No 86 s 15; 1939 No 39 s 34