False child registration couple to be sentenced

File photo / NZ Herald

A South Auckland married couple who pleaded guilty last month to charges of falsely registering the birth of a child are due to appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow for sentencing.

The couple, who have interim name suppression, accepted on August 19 that the husband fathered the child with another woman who agreed that the baby would be given up and raised by him and his wife as their own.

The married couple then registered the wife as the child's mother after the birth in September 2005, but the birth mother alerted the Department of Internal Affairs seven years later.

The couple initially denied providing false information, but later made admissions in signed statutory declarations.

The Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery, who initiated the prosecution, has since amended the child's birth certificate to record the birth mother.

Mr Montgomery said the maximum penalty for which Parliament had set was five years' imprisonment.

Accurate and timely birth registration was the right of every child born in New Zealand, Mr Montgomery said.

"A child is entitled to know who his parents are," he said.

"Recording both parents on a child's birth registration provides evidence of the person's identity, descent and whakapapa.

"We won't hesitate to prosecute when we become aware of false statements."

Mr Montgomery said correct birth certificates were essential for entitlements including inheritances, benefits received under trusts and certain government grants.

"In addition, a child may be able to claim citizenship status through a parent, and a birth certificate will provide prima facie evidence of that relationship.

"Ensuring the integrity of our records is a vital part of good government where the public relies on such records."