Father hails review of child-support system

Information technology consultant James welcomes proposed changes to the "unfair" child-support system that has him paying $20,000 a year.

He moved to Australia this year, leaving his former wife and child in New Zealand.

He said his ex-wife, a lawyer, earned about $100,000 a year and has a new partner earning a similar amount.

James, who earns about $150,000, was previously paying about $350 a week in child support.

When he moved to Australia, his former wife claimed he would be earning more money and had the child support increased to about $400 a week, James said.

"I don't have any issue contributing child support, but what child needs $400 a week to pay for food and clothes and things like that?" he said.

Under proposals to reform the scheme, the income of the absent parent and the carer parent would be taken into account.

James said he was encouraged by the proposal but believed the income of his ex-wife's new partner should also be considered.

He said he had made several trips to New Zealand to see his child, but those costs were not factored into child support.

"I'm paying over $10,000 a year to go to see my child and paying my ex the equivalent of $20,000," he said.

"It [the child-support system] doesn't incentivise men to even stay in the country to play a part in their child's life."

James did not expect a quick change to the "unfair" system.

"It's certainly encouraging, but any changes to the law won't be in place for at least three or four years, and proposals have been put forward before."

- © Fairfax NZ News