Summary
Appeal allowed in relation to Tessa, Sam and Ana. Appeal dismissed in relation to Wendy. Parties directed to prepare and seal final adoption orders under the Adoption Act 1955 in respect of Tessa, Sam and Ana. Leave reserved to apply to the Court for approval of the orders for sealing.
Family and Domestic Relationships — Intercountry Adoption.
Ms Norman is a New Zealand citizen. She is the aunt of four young people who live in Ethiopia: Wendy (aged 20), Tessa (aged 19), Sam (aged 17) and Ana (aged 15) (the children). The children’s parents have not been heard from since 2013: it is likely they are no longer alive. The children are being cared for by another aunt, Ms May, who is Ms Norman’s sister. The children, Ms May and Ms May’s 10 year-year-old daughter all live together in one bedroom in a house owned by an extended family member. They live in financial and material poverty and are supported by funds sent from Ms Norman in New Zealand. Although the children are being looked after by Ms May, she is not their legal guardian, which poses difficulties relating to accessing education and healthcare, and they do not have proper identity documents. None of the children has had any formal education. The children’s situation has become worse in the last year due to civil unrest in Ethiopia and COVID-19.