Editing Divorce (section)

==== New Zealand ====
{{Main|Divorce in New Zealand}}
New Zealand's divorce rate in 2020 was 7.6 divorces per 1,000 residents.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Marriages, civil unions, and divorces: Year ended December 2020 |publisher=Stats NZ |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/marriages-civil-unions-and-divorces-year-ended-december-2020 |access-date=2022-04-05 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305090047/https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/marriages-civil-unions-and-divorces-year-ended-december-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> This rate marks a decrease from previous years – such as those in 1983 with a crude divorce rate of 13.3. In fact, this rate has decreased significantly from the previous year, 2019, with a divorce rate of 8.4.<ref name=":3" /> Before filing for divorce, the parties must be separated for at least two years.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Separating or getting divorced |url=https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/separating-or-getting-divorced/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |publisher=New Zealand Government |language=en-NZ |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529020753/https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/separating-or-getting-divorced/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After this time, either party is able to submit an application. If it is a joint application but the parties do not appear in court, a dissolution order can be granted with  the divorce taking effect after one month.<ref name=":4" /> If the parties appear in court together, the judge can make the dissolution order and the divorce will be effective immediately. If one party applies as a sole application, then the other spouse has the opportunity to defend it within a certain time period.