Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback High Court of Solomon Islands

In re Wetara [2012] SBHC 130; HCSI-CC 203 of 2012 (21 November 2012)

HIGH COURT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS
(Mwanesalua J)

Civil Case No. 203 of 2012

IN THE MATTER OF:
THE ADOPTION ACT 2004

IN THE MATTER OF:
JEMEIEL BILIKI WETARA AND
ZANELLA QILAVATA
Infants

BETWEEN:

JEMEIEL BILIKI WETARA AND
ZANELL Qilavata
Infants

AND:

FRANK WETARA
Applicant Husband

AND:

MARYLACE WETARA
Applicant Wife

Hearing : 14 November 2012
Ruling : 21 November 2012

RULING

Mwanesalua J:

1. This is joint application by Frank Wetara and Marylace Wetara ("the Applicants") filed on 28 July 2012 for the adoption of Jemeiel Biliki Wetara and Zanella Qilavata the ("infants"). The Applicants are Solomon Islands Citizens and were legally married on 8 February 1997. Their current address is West Kolaridge, Honiara, Solomon Islands (temporary address).
   
2. Frank Wetara was born on 6 December 1964 and his present occupation is Child, Youth and Families Pastor. He is not related to the infants. The infants have been living continuously in his care and custody since 24 April 2010. He comes from Toroa Village, Wainoni, Makira Ulawa Province. He is healthy and attended formal education. He is also a Youth Worker in New Zealand and received a stipend of $720.00 (NZD) fortnightly.
   
3. Marylace Wetara's temporary address is also East Kolaride, Honiara. She is 45 years old. Her occupation is Early Childhood Education Teacher (part-time) and full time student at Early Childhood Training, New Zealand Child Care Association. She is related to both infants. She comes from Kapika Village, North Choiseul, Choiseul Province. She is healthy and attended formal education.
   
4. The biological mother of the infant Zanella Qilavata born on 11 May 2009 was Korina Tavoa (single mother). The biological mother of the infant Jemeiel Wetara born on 16 June 2009 was Rose Biliki (single mother). The infants are both healthy and normal. Both Korina Tavoa and Rose Biliki have given their consent for the infants to be adopted by the Applicants.
   
5. In April 2012, Zanella Qilavata's biological mother came over to Honiara with the infant Zanella Qilavata to meet Frank Wetara who arrived from New Zealand to be with the infants. On 21 June 2012 Frank Wetara took the infants with him to meet Marylace at the airport who arrived from New Zealand on the same day. Frank Wetara has custody of the infants from 21 April 2010 until the present time. The Applicants have a small residential property which they are renting it out for a rental of $400.00 per month in Honiara.
   
6. The Applicants do not have any child of their own except another child they have previously adopted. It is clear from the evidence, that the Applicants have the resources to provide the best for the children in terms of health, secure home, good future and education. They are a happy and loving couple. I will accordingly grant adoption of the infants to the Applicants. Order accordingly
   

THE COURT