About OPAN

The New Zealand Open Adoption Network (OPAN) are families supporting openness in adoption in Aotearoa, New Zealand. OPAN was established as a charitable trust in 1994 to support families experiencing open adoption.

OPAN:

  • recognises adoption is a lifelong experience
  • encourages and supports openness and honesty
  • believes that our children can know and enjoy the friendship and love of both their adoptive and birth families
  • acknowledges that there are different degrees of ‘contact’ and this varies over time
  • believes the goal of open adoption is to enhance the number of positive loving relationships in a child’s life.

We include:

  • adopted people
  • adoptive parents
  • birth parents
  • extended adoptive and birth families
  • prospective adoptive parents
  • adoption professionals

Families share their open adoption experiences with each other, so that as a group they can learn, grow, develop and provide support.

OPAN also works to raise awareness of open adoption in New Zealand, and helps provide birth parents with information so that they can make an informed decision about options available to them.

We offer:

  • Contact with other families experiencing open adoption. OPAN believes that through sharing each others stories and experiences, families can help and support each other.
  • Coffee groups and social events so that both parents and children can socialise with others in a similar situation.
  • Guest speakers, workshops, and education seminars covering topics specific to families experiencing open adoption.
  • An extensive library of books and resources about open adoption.

OPAN is not an adoption agency or counselling service, however we can put you in touch with people in these areas.

How is OPAN funded?

OPAN is a not for profit organisation and is funded by donations, fundraising, and member subscriptions.
At the time of writing, annual membership is free, although a return to an annual subscription may occur at some stage in the future.

How can you access our help?

You can access information about open adoption directly from this website, or you can contact us by emailing info@opan.org.nz.

To join OPAN …

Anyone can join OPAN!

All we need are your contact details so we can tell you about upcoming events and news items. All information is confidential. Please send your contact details to info@opan.org.nz.

Please note - no member subscription is required.