Sauerwein and Buwalda (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Mr Sauerwein, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on whether there had been a change in the actual care arrangements for the child, which would warrant a variation of the existing percentage of care determinations. The appeal was heard by R King M.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine whether the Registrar's decision to revoke existing percentage of care determinations and make new ones was correct. This required the court to assess the evidence presented regarding the actual care provided by each parent and to consider whether the threshold for a change in care had been met under the relevant provisions of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988*.

The court affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar. The reasoning applied involved a careful consideration of the evidence concerning the day-to-day care and responsibilities for the child. The court found that the evidence supported the Registrar's conclusion that there had been a sufficient change in the actual care arrangements to justify the revocation of the previous determinations and the making of new ones. The principles applied focused on the statutory requirements for varying percentage of care assessments based on a material change in the child's living arrangements.