Whanganui Barrister Bernadette Arapere Appointed as District Court Judge by Attorney-General Judith Collins

Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Whanganui barrister Bernadette Arapere as a District Court Judge.

Judge Arapere (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Maniapoto) was admitted to the bar in 2005. She was a Director at Wackrow Williams and Davies Ltd in Auckland before joining the Crown Law Office in Wellington as Crown Counsel. In 2021 she joined the independent bar.

Judge Arapere has a broad practice in public and administrative law, Treaty of Waitangi and general litigation. She is a Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission and a Deputy Chair of the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal. She has appeared as counsel in the courts at all levels including the Supreme Court and is regularly appointed as counsel assisting the court.

Judge Arapere will be based at the Hastings District Court and will be sworn in on 29 November.