Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill

Rowen Sullivan was born in England to a same-sex couple, Diane Sullivan, a British citizen, and New Zealander Doreen Shields. Only Diane's name, as the birth parent, was recorded on Rowen's birth certificate. In November 1999 the family moved to New Zealand, and Rowen and Diane became permanent residents. At that time the law did not allow Diane and Doreen to marry or jointly adopt Rowen.

Diane died in 2010, and Rowen was formally adopted by Doreen in January 2013. However, this required the removal of Diane's name from Rowen's post-adoption birth record. The purpose of the bill was to allow both Diane and Doreen's names to be included on Rowen's New Zealand post-adoption birth certificate.