Codlin v Yamato [2025] KIHC 10; Civil Case 41 of 2023 (27 March 2025)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KIRIBATI

HIGH COURT CIVIL CASE 41 of 2023

IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF CHILDREN ACT 1958 AND IN THE MATTER OF TERAONO IBEANIBURE (female)

BETWEEN: MATHEW WILLIAM CODLIN & MWAATI YAMATO
Applicants

AND: TEREIAKI YAMATO & IBEANIBURE TIMIRAU
Respondents

Date of Judgment: 27 March 2025

For the Applicants: Mrs. Kiata Kabure Ariera
For the Respondents: In person

R U L I N G

The application concerns the adoption of Teraono Ibeanibure by the applicants, Mathew William Codlin and Mwaati Yamato. The respondents are Tereiaki Yamato and Ibeanibure Timirau, the natural parent of Teraono Ibeanibure. Both parties submitted their affidavits in support of the adoption, along with other documentary evidence, including police clearance, proof of the applicant, Mathew Codlin's financial means, medical health reports for both applicants, and a school reference.

I have reviewed the application with supporting evidence, and this Court is satisfied that, in the best interest of the child, the adoption must be approved.

The respondents are the biological parents of the adoptive child. They provided evidence of their approval of the adoption by the applicants and confirmed that the applicants have been very supportive of the child. They also acknowledged their understanding that they would lose their parental rights over the child once the adoption is approved, as those rights would be transferred to the applicants.

The applicants, Mathew William Codlin and Mwaati Yamato, stated they are looking forward to raising Teraono as their own. To provide and care for her like their own child and exercise all the parental rights and obligations a parent should give to their child.

For the above reasons, the adoption application is approved, and the child, Teraono Ibeanibure, is to be adopted by Mathew William Codlin and Mwaati Yamato. The respondents' parental rights have now shifted to them.

Order accordingly.

THE HON TETIRO SEMILOTA MAATE MOANIBA

CHIEF JUSTICE