About the Court

On these pages you will find information about the role and work of District Court Judges.

• The Judicial Branch of Government

  The New Zealand system of Government is based on the separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. This separation provides checks...

• The District Court Judiciary

  On these pages you will find information about the District Court Judiciary.

• Our Vision and Our Values

  This graphic is also available in pdf format: District-Court-Vision-and-Values.pdf

• Judges Review Their Year in Work

  Each year Judges explore different aspects of law, their roles and the experiences they bring to the bench. 2019 How a sentence indication can offer certainty The complexities...

• Judges Talk About the Law

  In 2018 judges of the District Court explore aspects and processes of the law they interpret and apply.  * Please note that information in this section...

• Judges at Work

  In 2017 individual judges explained their roles and the diverse skills and experience they bring to the bench. * Please note that information in this section...

• How District Court Judges Make Decisions

  The role of a judge is to make or facilitate decisions in accordance with New Zealand’s laws. In order to perform this role, a judge...

• Judges and the Wider Community

  The role of judges is to serve the public. All judges do this by applying the law — which is made by the democratic legislature —...

• Useful Links

  If you are seeking independent legal advice: Find a lawyer by searching the New Zealand Law Society's directory of lawyers. Community Law Centres provide free one-on-one legal help...

• December 2020 — January 2021: District Court opening hours

  Contents District Court opening hours Urgent applications to the Family Court Mental health Arrest courts  Electronically Monitored Bail applications Urgent Harmful Digital Communications Act applications Table of Opening/Closing dates by court...