04 Sep 2026
1 month ago
416 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Christopher Morris as a District Court Judge, with his swearing-in scheduled for 22 October 2026 in Auckland. Mr Morris is an experienced sole practitioner in Auckland, formerly a partner at Cook Morris Quinn, and has worked extensively in criminal, regulatory, and civil law. His career includes roles at Bell Gully Buddle Weir, Meredith Connell, and the Crown Law Office, with appearances in high-profile trials and courts up to the Privy Council.
03 Jul 2026
3 months ago
848 views
Judge La-Verne King has been appointed as the new Principal Family Court Judge, starting in November after Judge Jackie Moran's retirement. With a legal career beginning in 1989, she co-founded the first Māori and Pasifika women law firm and has held various roles including Youth Advocate and District Inspector for Mental Health. Since her appointment to the District Court Bench in 2019, she has primarily served in Family and Youth Courts in Northland and became the Family Court Liaison Judge for the region in 2021.
30 Jun 2026
3 months ago
764 views
Two new Bills introduced aim to enhance court efficiency by expanding Community Magistrates' roles to handle more straightforward cases, freeing up judges for complex matters, and modernizing remote participation in court proceedings. The Community Magistrates Legislation Amendment Bill allows magistrates greater authority in pleas, trials, bail decisions, and administrative matters, supported by additional funding and the appointment of a Chief Community Magistrate. Meanwhile, the Courts Remote Participation Bill updates outdated laws to provide clearer rules and consistency for remote hearings, improving timeliness and access to justice, as reflected in recent reductions in criminal case backlogs and faster case resolutions.
15 May 2026
5 months ago
1207 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Kerryn Beaton KC as a District Court Judge, with her swearing-in scheduled for 2 July 2026 in Christchurch. Ms Beaton has extensive legal experience, including roles as a Crown prosecutor, Public Defender, and barrister focusing on serious crime and public inquiries, as well as involvement in significant commissions such as the Pike River Royal Commission and the UN Khmer Rouge trials. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021 and will be based at the Dunedin District Court.
13 May 2026
5 months ago
956 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has appointed District Court Judge Jonathan Moses as the first Chief Community Magistrate. Judge Moses, admitted to the bar in 1985 and a former UN senior trial attorney, was previously the Executive Judge of the Manukau District Court and a founding solicitor of the Mangere Community Law Centre. He will assume the role after a ceremonial sitting on May 27 at the Manukau District Court, highlighting the increasing significance of Community Magistrates.
10 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1071 views
The Judicial Conduct Panel found that Judge Ema Aitken breached comity but did not commit misbehaviour warranting her removal, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. As a result, Judge Aitken will remain an Acting District Court Judge until her warrant expires in February 2027. The minister emphasized the importance of judicial conduct panels in maintaining public trust and declined to comment further.
20 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1345 views
Attorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of Prudence McGuire and Christopher Macklin as new District Court Judges, to commence their roles in April and May 2026 at Palmerston North and Nelson Courts, respectively. Ms. McGuire, a Rotorua-based barrister with extensive experience in family and criminal law, will be sworn in on 21 April 2026, while Mr. Macklin, a Nelson-based barrister specializing in criminal and regulatory litigation, will be sworn in on 15 May 2026. Both appointees have significant legal backgrounds, including prosecutorial roles and leadership positions within the legal community.
20 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1340 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases awaiting hearing, thanks to coordinated efforts across the justice sector. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, enhanced performance reporting, and upcoming legislative reforms to further expedite justice. This progress significantly benefits victims by reducing delays, stress, and uncertainty, while the Family Court backlog also decreased by 9 percent during the same period.
20 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1267 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases waiting to be heard, reflecting a coordinated justice sector effort. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, and enhanced performance reporting, resulting in faster justice and reduced stress for victims. Further reforms, such as expanding Community Magistrates' powers and promoting remote court participation, aim to continue this progress and improve court efficiency nationwide.
02 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1034 views
The Wellington District Court's Disputes Tribunal has transitioned to electronic case files to provide faster, more flexible justice, allowing referees and staff to securely access and manage cases remotely. Following successful implementations in Christchurch and upcoming plans for Auckland, this digital shift aims to reduce delays and improve the system nationwide. The move supports small businesses and consumers by enabling quicker dispute resolutions, helping them recover losses and maintain operations efficiently.
27 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1316 views
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has approved a Fast-track residential and retirement development in Riverhead, Auckland, by Rangitoopuni Developments Limited, which includes 208 residential allotments, a 296-unit retirement village, public amenities, and wetland protection. The project is expected to inject $708 million into Auckland’s economy and create over 7,000 jobs during its nine-year development. This marks the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track system, which has now seen 24 projects referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to address housing and infrastructure needs.
28 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1267 views
Attorney-General Judith Collins appointed Bernadette Arapere, a barrister from Whanganui, as a District Court Judge. Judge Arapere, admitted to the bar in 2005, previously worked as a Crown Counsel and has a diverse legal background in public law and litigation. She will be based at the Hastings District Court, with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 29 November.
22 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1201 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee praises the 2025 Court User Survey results, with 82% satisfaction, the highest since 2019, attributing it to staff efforts. Recent court improvements include reducing case backlogs, improving case age, and enhancing efficiency across various court jurisdictions. The focus is on enhancing safety, with high percentages feeling safe in courthouses, and upcoming plans include digital systems and expanded magistrate roles for faster justice delivery.
21 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1256 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee is pleased with the 20% decrease in the backlog of criminal cases in the District Court since April 2023, equivalent to around 1,700 cases, under the government's efforts to prioritize timely justice for victims. The improvement is attributed to a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies and the judiciary, with initiatives like the District Court Timely Justice Programme enhancing court system efficiency and performance. The focus on reducing delays in court processes aligns with the government's commitment to providing faster access to justice and making a tangible impact on the criminal justice system.
26 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1287 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee highlights the Government's focus on faster justice delivery, emphasizing the importance of reducing delays in resolving civil disputes and family wait times for coroners' findings. Significant progress has been made in various jurisdictions, such as the District Court, where active civil cases decreased by 20% and completed cases increased by 8%. The Disputes Tribunal also saw over 900 more cases completed in a year, with a 21% decrease in aged cases, while the Coroners Court reduced active cases by 15% through the introduction of associate coroners and clinical advisors.