Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
3 March 2023
John Luke
[FYI request #21860 email]
Our ref: OIA 102711
Tēnā koe John
Official Information Act request: Disputes Tribunal Referee
Thank you for your email of 16 February 2023 in which you requested under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) information relating to Disputes Tribunal recruitment.
Specifically, you requested:
“May I ask how did you call for public nomination and on what platform you have call
for public nominations, e.g. govt.jobs website. Also, how many applications you have
received from the public and how many you have received from other nominating
agencies such as TPK or Ministry of women etc. further, how many you have
shortlisted.
Please supply the pay rate and term of reference/job description of this role.”
Calls for expressions of interest in these rounds of Disputes Tribunal appointments were
made via public advertisement on the following platforms:
• the Ministry of Justice website (Statutory Appointments);
• the New Zealand Law Society Newsletter (LawPoints);
• Lawfuel Media;
• the Māori Law Society Newsletter; and
• the Pasifika Law Society Newsletter.
Three expressions of interest were received as a result of advertisement through these
platforms. The expression of interest period closed on 17 February 2023 and shortlisting for
interview has not yet occurred. No nominations were received from nominating agencies
and it is useful to note that for this role candidates should have either a legal qualification or
significant experience in dispute resolution.
The present remuneration rate for the role is set under the Cabinet Fees framework and is
$530 per day. This figure is presently under review by the Remuneration Authority.
Attached is the wording of the advertisement which includes a description of the position
requirements.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at: justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses/.
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Office of the Ombudsman under section 28(3) of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman may
be contacted by email to [email address] or by phone on 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Wayne Newall
Manager, Appointments and Specialist Functions Enc
2
REFEREE, DISPUTES TRIBUNAL – NEW PLYMOUTH
The Disputes Tribunal is currently seeking expressions of interest in the role of Disputes Tribunal
Referee in New Plymouth. The Disputes Tribunal is a division of the District Court, and currently
hears a range of civil claims up to a value of $30,000.00. Most of our disputes involve contract and
consumer issues, but we also deal with other civil matters, such as car accidents, or claims in
negligence causing damage to property. Referees are appointed as judicial officers by warrant from
the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister of Justice. The role generally involves 2-4 days a
week of hearings, depending on caseflows.
The Disputes Tribunal is becoming increasingly central in the delivery of civil justice and a further
increase in jurisdiction is possible. Referees are required to conduct hearings which take place at the
local District Court. During the hearing, the Referee assesses whether the parties can come to an
agreement about their dispute. If not, the Referee makes a decision in the matter. This decision is
provided in writing, with reasons, and has the status of a District Court order. As a judicial officer
working in a Tribunal setting, you would need to have strong legal and analytical abilities, hold
relevant qualifications in law, mediation or arbitration, and enjoy working with people from all walks
of life to help them resolve their differences. If you are new to the role, full training is provided.
It is important that the membership of the Tribunal reflects the community, and to that end we seek
applications from people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and age groups. The Tribunal is also
committed to providing a service that reflects the principles of Te Tiriti, and to ensuring that the
Tribunal is a place where all people feel welcomed and supported.
Successful candidates will show abilities in listening, assessing information, making decisions,
relating to and communicating with a wide variety of people, responding sensitively to cultural
differences, expressing themselves clearly, and be able to engage in alternative ways of resolving
disputes. A Referee also needs to show common sense and practical judgement and must be able to
act with fairmindedness and impartiality. The full criteria for assessment are set out in R38 of the
Disputes Tribunal Rules 1989.
The daily rate for a Referee is currently $530.00. However, due to recent legislative change, the
remuneration package for Referees is now under review by the Remuneration Authority. This is
likely to change the basis of the pay.
Any person within the community may nominate you for the role. Nominations must be sent in
writing or by email. They must contain the name, address, telephone number and email address of
both the nominator and the person being nominated. Once a nomination has been received, the
person who is nominated wil be sent an application pack with details relating to the position and
how to apply for it.
Nominations are to be made to the Principal Disputes Referee, DX SX 11159, Wellington, Ph: (04)
9143131, or em
ail [email address] Nominations must be received by this office
no later than Friday, 3 February 2023. We are unable to accept late nominations.
