Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
5 November 2024
John Luke
[FYI request #28974 email]
Ref: OIA 117019
Tēnā koe John
Official Information Act request: Appointments
Thank you for your request of 30 October 2024, under the Of icial Information Act 1985 (the
Act), requesting information relating to court appointments. Specifically, you requested:
I noted- Appointment as a District Court or Environment Court
https://www.justice.govt.nz/about/statutory-vacancies/
How long you have had this- Appointment as a District Court or Environment Court on
your website, how many expression of interest (register your interest) you have
received so far? When is the appointment process for District Court or Environment
Court in general. How many expression of interest you have shortlisted or interviewed
so far? May I also request to view the appointment letter for District Court and
Environment Court, happy for you to remove any personal information.
The Ministry maintains a register of expressions of interest for appointment to the District
and Environment Court on behalf of the Attorney-General. This aspect of the Ministry’s
Statutory Appointments web page is a permanent feature which you can visit at
justice.govt.nz/about/statutory-vacancies/
It is not possible to advise how many expressions of interest (EoIs) have been received over
the many years the register has been in operation as EoIs are added to and removed from
the register regularly, following either the appointment of a candidate or the withdrawal of an
EoI due to the particular circumstances of the applicant. However, at any one time there are
usually between 200-300 live EoIs on hand.
There is a statutory cap on the number of District Court Judges prescribed by section 12 of
the District Court Act 2016 (presently 182) and in any given year there are usually 10-20
appointments made, most often as a consequence of presently appointed judges reaching
the compulsory retirement age of 70. The appointment and shortlisting for interview process
is described in the booklet that appears on the website and interviews are conducted at
regular intervals throughout the year as vacancies arise.
The appointment letter is issued to newly appointed judges on behalf of the Chief District
Court Judge and is not held or issued by the Ministry. The courts are a separate and
independent arm of government and are specifical y excluded from the Act under section
2(6)(a). Therefore, this aspect of your request is refused under section 18(g), as the
information requested is not held by the Ministry and there are no grounds for believing it is
held by another agency subject to the Act.
If you require any further information, please contact Media & Social Media Manager Joe
Locke at [email address]
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
You have the right under section 28 of the Act to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
ombudsman.parliament.nz or call 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Wayne Newall
Manager, Appointments and Specialist Functions
