Welfare Guardians Trusts NZ

Welcome to the Home Page of our Website

Welfare Guardians Trusts are organisations set up to provide approved volunteers who then apply to the NZ Family Courts to be appointed Welfare Guardians for people who are unable to make or communicate decisions regarding their own personal care and welfare. Volunteers are appointed by the Courts when there is no local or no suitable relative available.

Welfare Guardians have NO AUTHORITY over the property or assets of the person they are appointed for, their powers are legally limited to care and welfare decisions.

Each Trust receives applications from local volunteers who then complete an approval process, including a Police Check. Approved volunteers are trained by the Trust before applying to the Courts to be appointed as a Welfare Guardian. The Trust provides on-going support for each volunteer.

For further information click on the following links:

• The INFORMATION page gives details the role of a welfare guardian. If, after reading this you are interested in becoming a volunteer Welfare Guardian, go to the LOCAL page for details of how to apply to your nearest Welfare Guardians Trust.
• The LEGISLATION page provides links to parts of the “Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988” act which (with amendments) controls how welfare guardians are appointed and stipulates rules under which they operate.
• The LOCAL page provides information on the Trust in your area. As more Trusts are established they may be found here.

Disclaimer:

The Welfare Guardians Trusts' Website is not responsible for the content of any information provided by the external links on this site. Please contact the organisation responsible for each site.

Welfare Guardian Trusts do NOT offer legal advice - if you wish to seek legal advice or clarification of the law please contact a lawyer, or your local Public Trust, or your local Community Law Service.