News

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  2025 District Court Annual Report published

  Published 14 May 2026 | Te Whare

  The 2025 District Court of New Zealand Te Kōti ā Rohe o Aotearoa is the largest court in Australasia. The 2025 Annual Report provides a snapshot that reflects the volume and breadth of our activities. Read the 2025 Annual Report here

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  First Chief Community Magistrate appointed

  Published 13 May 2026 |

  Judge Jonathan Moses (pictured) has been appointed as Chief Community Magistrate.  Read the announcement from the Associate Justice Minister here Read the announcement of Budget 2025 funding for three additional Community Magistrates and the appointment of a Chief Community Magistrate

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  Two new Judges appointed

  Published 23 March 2026 |

  The Attorney-General has announced the appointment of Prudence McGuire and Christopher Macklin as District Court Judges Read the announcement

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  District Court Judges appointed

  Published 06 March 2026 |

  The Attorney-General has announced the appointment of Rohan Cochrane, Lynn Hughes and Derek Whitehead as District Court Judges.  Read the announcement here.

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  Expanded service to support whānau in Gisborne District Court

  Published 17 February 2026 |

  Tangatarite, a wraparound support service provided by Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa (TROTAK) in the adult criminal jurisdiction of Gisborne District Court, has officially expanded into the Family Court and Youth Court after a successful testing period.  Tangatarite was…

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  Gisborne District Court streamlines processes for mentally impaired defendants

  Published 25 November 2025 |

  Dedicated hearings starting this morning at Gisborne District Court are expected to reduce the number of mentally impaired defendants subjected to delays. The hearings are for where issues of fitness to stand trial or insanity have been raised and will take…