There were 6,372 divorces granted by the family courts in 2021, the lowest annual number of divorces since 1979, Stats NZ said today.
"Divorces have been generally decreasing since the early 2000s, as has the divorce rate," population estimates and projections manager Hamish Slack said.
"The divorce rate, which shows the number of divorces per 1,000 estimated existing marriages, has also dropped back to mid-1970s levels."
In 2021, the divorce rate was 6.2 divorces per 1,000 estimated existing marriages, the lowest since the law changed in 1981 making it easier for couples to divorce. The divorce rate is similar to 1974 levels, when it was 6.4 divorces per 1,000 marriages.
"Both the number of divorces, and the divorce rate, have dropped to levels similar to before law changes made a divorce easier to get," Mr Slack said.
More information on the law change can be found in the Family Proceedings Act 1980.
| December year | Number of divorces |
| 1970 | 3138 |
| 1971 | 3348 |
| 1972 | 3471 |
| 1973 | 3615 |
| 1974 | 4458 |
| 1975 | 4761 |
| 1976 | 5400 |
| 1977 | 5379 |
| 1978 | 5772 |
| 1979 | 6102 |
| 1980 | 6495 |
| 1981 | 8592 |
| 1982 | 12396 |
| 1983 | 9750 |
| 1984 | 9174 |
| 1985 | 8607 |
| 1986 | 8754 |
| 1987 | 8709 |
| 1988 | 8673 |
| 1989 | 8556 |
| 1990 | 9036 |
| 1991 | 9150 |
| 1992 | 9114 |
| 1993 | 9192 |
| 1994 | 9213 |
| 1995 | 9576 |
| 1996 | 10008 |
| 1997 | 9753 |
| 1998 | 10065 |
| 1999 | 9930 |
| 2000 | 9699 |
| 2001 | 9681 |
| 2002 | 10290 |
| 2003 | 10491 |
| 2004 | 10608 |
| 2005 | 9972 |
| 2006 | 10065 |
| 2007 | 9651 |
| 2008 | 9720 |
| 2009 | 8754 |
| 2010 | 8901 |
| 2011 | 8583 |
| 2012 | 8826 |
| 2013 | 8319 |
| 2014 | 8232 |
| 2015 | 8520 |
| 2016 | 8169 |
| 2017 | 8001 |
| 2018 | 7455 |
| 2019 | 8388 |
| 2020 | 7707 |
| 2021 | 6372 |
| December year | Divorce rate |
| 1970 | 4.9 |
| 1971 | 5.1 |
| 1972 | 5.2 |
| 1973 | 5.3 |
| 1974 | 6.4 |
| 1975 | 6.6 |
| 1976 | 7.4 |
| 1977 | 7.4 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1979 | 8.5 |
| 1980 | 9 |
| 1981 | 11.9 |
| 1982 | 17.1 |
| 1983 | 13.3 |
| 1984 | 12.5 |
| 1985 | 11.7 |
| 1986 | 11.9 |
| 1987 | 11.8 |
| 1988 | 11.8 |
| 1989 | 11.7 |
| 1990 | 12.3 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1992 | 11.9 |
| 1993 | 11.9 |
| 1994 | 11.9 |
| 1995 | 12.3 |
| 1996 | 12.7 |
| 1997 | 12.3 |
| 1998 | 12.6 |
| 1999 | 12.5 |
| 2000 | 12.2 |
| 2001 | 12.1 |
| 2002 | 12.7 |
| 2003 | 12.8 |
| 2004 | 12.8 |
| 2005 | 11.9 |
| 2006 | 11.9 |
| 2007 | 11.3 |
| 2008 | 11.3 |
| 2009 | 10.1 |
| 2010 | 10.1 |
| 2011 | 9.7 |
| 2012 | 9.9 |
| 2013 | 9.3 |
| 2014 | 9.1 |
| 2015 | 9.2 |
| 2016 | 8.7 |
| 2017 | 8.3 |
| 2018 | 7.6 |
| 2019 | 8.4 |
| 2020 | 7.6 |
| 2021 | 6.2 |
