Articles tagged with Justice
King’s Counsel Appointment Round Announced for 2026 – Apply by June
2 days ago | 92 viewsAttorney-General Hon Chris Bishop announced that the next appointment round for King’s Counsel will occur in 2026, with applications opening on May 25 and closing on June 22. The Solicitor-General will consult with the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Bar Association to inform recommendations made to the Governor-General, who has the final discretion in appointments. Guidelines and application details are available on the Crown Law website, and appointments are expected to be announced in October 2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop King’s Counsel Chief Justice New Zealand Law Society New Zealand Bar Association Crown Law Office 2026 appointmentsNew Zealand Introduces Bill to Close Overseas Adoption Loopholes and Protect Children
3 days ago | 116 viewsThe Government is introducing the Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill to permanently close loopholes that previously allowed unsafe overseas adoptions into New Zealand, replacing last year’s temporary measures. The Bill clarifies recognition of overseas adoptions, citizenship pathways, and immigration processes, ensuring child safety through stricter safeguards and two main pathways for citizenship under the Hague Convention or New Zealand Family Court. It will be reviewed by the Justice Select Committee for public input, with the aim to pass before the current temporary laws expire in July 2027.
Tags: Nicole McKee Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill Associate Justice Minister Adoption Amendment Act 2025 New Zealand Hague Convention Justice Select Committee international adoption child safety immigration pathwaysJudge Ema Aitken to Remain as Acting District Court Judge After Panel Review
1 month ago | 261 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Judge Ema Aitken Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Judicial Conduct Panel Acting District Court Judge Judiciary Government Executive Legislature Judicial conduct panels MisbehaviourNZ Alcohol Regulation Bill Passes First Reading: Streamlining Licenses & Cutting Red Tape
1 month ago | 286 viewsThe Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill aims to reduce red tape, support economic growth in hospitality and events, and enhance fairness in licensing while maintaining public safety. Key changes include limiting objections to license applications to local residents, allowing clubs and certain restaurants more flexibility in alcohol sales, and streamlining special license requirements for events. The Justice Select Committee is inviting public submissions until 14 May 2026 to identify further low-risk regulatory improvements.
Tags: Nicole McKee Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Justice Select Committee alcohol regulation licensing regime red tape hospitality sector alcohol harm reduction New Zealand Parliament Rugby World CupNew Alcohol Laws Allow Hospitality to Trade Normally on Easter and Anzac Days
1 month ago | 932 viewsA new member’s bill reforming alcohol laws, effective from midnight tonight, allows hospitality businesses in New Zealand to operate under normal licence conditions on restricted trading days such as Anzac Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day, removing outdated meal order requirements and midnight closing rules. The amendment, including a key change by ACT MP Cameron Luxton, ensures bars and pubs can remain open past midnight, benefiting events like the opening of Christchurch’s Te Kaha Stadium and improving public safety by preventing large crowds from leaving venues simultaneously. This reform provides clarity and regulatory relief for the hospitality sector, enabling businesses to operate confidently during important holidays while restoring consumer choice.
Tags: Nicole McKee Kieran McAnulty Cameron Luxton Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Ministry of Justice ACT Party Te Kaha Stadium New Zealand Parliament hospitality sector alcohol laws reformLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Criminal Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
2 months ago | 431 viewsCourts 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.
Tags: Nicole McKee Courts Minister District Court judiciary justice sector criminal backlog Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform victimsLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
2 months ago | 403 viewsCourts 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.
Tags: Nicole McKee District Court judiciary criminal backlog justice sector victims Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform Auckland metro courtsNew Alcohol Licensing Rules Boost Sports and Community Clubs in NZ
2 months ago | 490 viewsSports clubs, RSAs, and community clubs in New Zealand will now have the option to choose between a club licence or an on-licence for serving alcohol, allowing them to serve the wider public beyond just members and their guests. This change enables clubs to host more events, attract more customers, and increase revenue, which can be reinvested into community facilities and activities. Additionally, it opens up club facilities to the broader community, providing greater access to affordable hospitality and social spaces previously restricted by licensing laws.
Tags: Nicole McKee Associate Justice Minister sports clubs RSAs community clubs club licence alcohol serving New Zealand local communitiesNew Alcohol Licensing Laws Boost Community Clubs and Local Events in NZ
2 months ago | 506 viewsSports clubs, RSAs, and community clubs in New Zealand will soon have the option to choose between a club licence or an on-licence for serving alcohol, allowing them to serve the wider public beyond just members and their guests. This change aims to enable clubs to host more events, increase revenue, and better support their communities by funding activities, facilities, and equipment. Additionally, the reform will make club facilities more accessible to the public, enhancing community engagement and enjoyment.
Tags: Nicole McKee Associate Justice Minister sports clubs RSAs community clubs club licence alcohol serving local communities New ZealandProceeds of Crime Fund 2026 Opens to Fight Violent Crime and Support NZ Safety
2 months ago | 450 viewsStarting 30 March 2026, New Zealand's Proceeds of Crime Fund will reopen to allocate seized criminal assets toward initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime and enhancing public safety. The fund prioritizes high-impact, outcome-focused programs that prevent lower-level offending, dismantle gang operations, and support community partnerships, with strict criteria and short-term investments up to three years. Recent funded projects include improved safety measures in Auckland’s CBD and community-led efforts like the Meke Academy, reflecting a commitment to redirect criminal proceeds to protect victims and prevent further crime.
Tags: Nicole McKee Proceeds of Crime Fund New Zealand violent crime organised crime gangs Meke Academy Ministry of Justice Auckland Hawke’s BayNew Zealand's AML/CFT 2026-2030 Strategy: Cutting Red Tape, Boosting Enforcement
2 months ago | 546 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has released New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Strategy for 2026–2030, aiming to streamline compliance and strengthen enforcement against serious crime. The strategy emphasizes a risk-based approach to reduce unnecessary paperwork for low-risk transactions while enhancing focus on genuine risks, supported by a single AML/CFT supervisor under the Department of Internal Affairs from July 2024. This reform seeks to provide clearer guidance, reduce compliance costs, and deliver significant regulatory relief, building on previous efforts to simplify customer verification and improve the AML/CFT system.
Tags: Nicole McKee New Zealand Countering Financing of Terrorism Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Justice regulatory reform financial crime national strategyNew Zealand Modernises Military Justice System with New Discipline Law Amendment Bill
2 months ago | 479 viewsThe Armed Forces Discipline Law Amendment Bill aims to modernize New Zealand’s military justice system by making it fairer, more efficient, and transparent, aligning it with civilian justice developments. It introduces a Minor Discipline Sanction System for low-level offenses, streamlines serious cases to Court Martial, enhances search powers with better protections, and expands rights such as trial by Court Martial and drug testing. These reforms ensure stronger discipline and operational readiness within the Armed Forces while upholding high standards for personnel.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Armed Forces Military Justice System Defence Minister Court Martial Director of Military Prosecutions Armed Forces Discipline Law Amendment Bill Minor Discipline Sanction System Bill of Rights ActNZ to Allow Restaurants with Retail Areas to Sell Take-Home Alcohol
4 months ago | 694 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, allowing restaurants with on-site retail areas that sell takeaway food or non-alcoholic beverages to apply for an off-licence to sell alcohol for off-site consumption. This amendment removes restrictive rules that previously prevented such businesses from selling take-home alcohol, aiming to reduce red tape, support responsible operators, and foster entrepreneurial hospitality ventures. The reform, supported by MPs Chris Bishop and Mike Butterick, seeks to adapt regulations to modern business models and enhance customer choice.
Tags: Nicole McKee Chris Bishop Mike Butterick Associate Justice Minister Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act La Bella Italia Hutt South MP Government alcohol reforms restaurantsNew Zealand Passes Legislation to Speed Up Courts and Add High Court Judges
4 months ago | 684 viewsParliament has passed legislation aimed at improving court timeliness by updating procedures and increasing the number of High Court Judges from 55 to 60 to expedite serious cases. The Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill introduces measures to streamline case management, prevent abuse of court processes, and enhance judicial efficiency across various courts. These changes prioritize faster justice for victims and families, ensuring the justice system operates more effectively and responsively.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Nicole McKee High Court Judges Judicature (Timeliness) Legislation Amendment Bill Senior Courts Act Criminal Procedure Act 2011 Court of Appeal Coroners Act 2006 New Zealand Justice systemNew Election Laws Boost Efficiency with Early Enrolment and Digital Updates
4 months ago | 680 viewsThe Government has passed legislation to improve election efficiency by closing enrolment 13 days before election day, allowing automatic enrolment updates, and removing postal requirements to better manage voter participation. Additional changes include extending advance voting to 12 days, reinstating a prisoner voting ban for certain sentences, adjusting donor reporting thresholds, and introducing penalties for providing inducements near polling places. The Bill also enhances Electoral Commission operations, modifies candidate and party registration rules, and supports a separate bill to ensure executive government continuity post-election.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith New Zealand Electoral Commission Government Justice Minister elections legislation Constitution Act 1986 prisoner voting ban advance voting