Definition of family member

A family member includes a client's:

• partner
• sibling (includes half-sibling and step-sibling but excludes members of organisations/gangs referring to themselves as 'blood brothers and sisters')
• children (includes, stepchildren, foster children, and whāngai - children who have been raised, normally by a relation or other person within the wider whānau to which the child belongs)
• grandchildren or mokopuna (includes grandchildren raised by the client as the principal caregivers)
• grandparents
• parent (includes step-parents and foster parents)
• partner's parent
• parent’s sibling (includes aunt, uncle, step-aunt, step-uncle)
• cousin

A family member can also be another person who is treated by the client as a member of the client's family.