Story: Divorce and separation

In the 19th century divorce was seen as shameful and scandalous. Many churches opposed divorce, while other people argued that it allowed women to escape abusive husbands. For many years couples could only divorce if one partner was guilty of acts such as adultery, desertion, drunkenness or attempted murder. No-fault divorce was introduced in 1980.

Story by Megan Cook
Main image: 'Matrimonial Properties Act 4', by Denise Copland

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19th-century divorce and desertion

In the 19th century divorce was seen as shameful and scandalous. Separation and desertion (walking out on a marriage) were more common. A man could divorce his wife if she committed adultery (had sex with someone else), but a woman could only divorce her husband if he committed adultery plus another act such as rape, incest or extreme cruelty.

Many churches strongly opposed divorce, but some people argued that divorce allowed women to escape abusive relationships.

Easier divorce

From 1898 the grounds for divorce were widened, and a woman could divorce her husband if he committed adultery. One partner was always seen as the guilty party. In the 20th century the divorce rate climbed.

No-fault divorce

From 1980 divorces were granted on the basis of ‘irreconcilable differences’, rather than trying to find out which partner was at fault. The Family Court, set up in 1981, managed the breakdown of marriages (and, from 2005, civil unions).

Maintenance

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, deserted wives often had to rely on family or friends for support. Poor women sometimes had to seek charitable aid from hospital boards or churches. Wives could go to the magistrate’s court and get an order to make their ex-husband pay maintenance to them and their children – but many men didn’t pay up.

Division of property

Until the mid-20th century husbands owned property acquired during marriage, and they kept it if the marriage ended. After women began challenging their husbands’ right to property after divorce, it was eventually split more equally between husbands and wives.

Children and divorce

In the mid-19th century, fathers owned their children. They could decide where a child lived and with whom – mothers had no legal right to custody or contact. However, when marriages failed, men usually left their children with their wives. From the late 19th century there was more concern for the child’s welfare, and courts usually awarded custody to the mother.

Most separating parents organised child custody themselves. If they could not agree, the Family Court (set up in 1981) decided on most custody and access cases.

How to cite this page:

Megan Cook, 'Divorce and separation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/divorce-and-separation (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Megan Cook, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 8 November 2018