Media releases and statements are first published on our news page.
Media releases and statements from 2016 onwards:
On this page:
You may also want to refer to the media releases on these related websites:
Statement from the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, regarding the launch of Te Ao Mārama in Kaitāia.
Statement from the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, regarding the launch of the Young Adult List in Gisborne.
5 May 2022 – Young Adult List launched in the Gisborne District Court
Statement from the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Heemi Taumaunu: The Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, along with the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran and the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker have announced the Gisborne District Court will implement the Te Ao Mārama model, designed in partnership with iwi and community engagement.
24 May 2021 — Gisborne District Court next in line for Te Ao Mārama model
Statement from the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, regarding the announcement of a new model for the District Court tonight at the Norris Ward McKinnon lecture.
11 November 2020 – Transformative Te Ao Mārama model announced for District Court
Statement from the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran, regarding the inclusion of certain Care and Protection matters in Hamilton’s first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court.
11 November 2020 – New AODT court stream milestone for Family Court
Statement from the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, and Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, regarding the official launch of Te Kōti Rangatahi ki Heretaunga, Hawke’s Bay’s first Rangatahi Court at Te Aranga Marae in Hastings today.
15 October 2020 – A new Rangatahi Court for Hawke's Bay
Statement from the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, regarding today's official launch of of the Young Adult List Court at Porirua.
31 July 2020 – Trial of Young Adult List court officially launched in Porirua
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, about streamlined court processes for mentally impaired in the Auckland District Court.
Auckland District Court to streamline court processes for mentally impaired
Statement from the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, regarding the the first Young Adult List.
First session of Young Adult List begins in Porirua District Court
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu, regarding District Court Judge Rob Ronayne.
District Court Judge Rob Ronayne
Statement from the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, raising concerns about silent victims of family violence.
Principal Judge raises concerns about silent victims of family violence
Statement from the Acting Chief District Court Judge, Judge John Walker, on steps taken to address sentencing delays for defendants in custody.
District Court addresses sentencing delays for defendants in custody
Statement from the Acting Chief District Court Judge, Judge John Walker, on a new approach to those aged 18-25 who appear in court, currently being developed for the Porirua District Court.
Statement from the Acting Chief District Court Judge, Judge John Walker, on the evaluation of the Sexual Violence Court Pilot.
August update on the Sexual Violence Court Pilot in the District Court
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, about the Sexual Violence Court Pilot.
May update on the Sexual Violence Court Pilot in the District Court
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, in response to the impact of pay dispute.
District Court Judges vigilant to impact of pay dispute
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, and the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, on the District Court response to high incidence of disabilities.
Joint Statement on neurodisabilities and court processes
Statement from the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, welcoming new report on tackling youth crime.
Principal Youth Court judge welcomes new report on tackling youth crime [PDF, 349 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, on the Coroner's inquest into the death of Christie Marceau.
Statement on the Coroner's inquest into the death of Christie Marceau [PDF, 225 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, and the Principal Youth Court Judge, Judge John Walker, announcing that Northland will be the next region to have a Kōti Rangatahi, Rangatahi Court.
Whangarei Rangatahi Court [PDF, 282 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, about the first 12 months of the Sexual Violence Court Pilot.
SVCP first 12 months milestone [PDF, 149 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, after the District Court of New Zealand website wins an international award.
International award for District Court website [PDF, 232 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, about the first six months of the Sexual Violence Court Pilot.
SVCP six month milestone [PDF, 250 KB]
Statement from the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Laurence J Ryan, regarding debate about the Family Court.
Statement from Principal Family Court Judge re Family Court debate [PDF, 140 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, marking the progress made on jury trials in the District Court at Nelson.
The District Court makes progress on jury trials [PDF, 174 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, marking the commencement of the District Court Act 2016.
Historic day for New Zealand courts [PDF, 126 KB]
Judge Heemi Taumaunu has been honoured internationally for his pioneering work developing ngā Kōti Rangatahi o Aotearoa, the Rangatahi Courts.
Statement re Veillard-Cybulski Award [PDF, 140 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, announcing that Christchurch is the latest District Court to add Community Magistrates to its judicial ranks.
Community Magistrates join Christchurch District Court [PDF, 217 KB]
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, announcing that District Court Judges are about to lead an initiative that aims to improve the way the courts respond to sexual violence cases:
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Jan-Marie Doogue, announcing that judicial decisions from the District Courts are becoming available online.
Judicial decisions online media release [PDF, 209 KB]
Statement from the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran: Clarification regarding the care arrangements of children subject to Family Court orders.
Statement from the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Heemi Taumaunu regarding the release of the person on bail who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
20 September 2021 – Media Statement from the Chief District Court Judge [PDF, 204 KB]
Statement from the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran regarding the care arrangements of children subject to Family Court Orders.
Update to guidance regarding shared care arrangements of children at COVID-19 Alert Level 4 [PDF, 172 KB]
Statement from the Chief Justice: On Tuesday 29 June 2021 the Government announced that Wellington, Kāpiti Coast and Wairarapa would move to join the rest of New Zealand at COVID-19 Alert Level 1 from 11.59pm tonight.
This statement explains the approach the courts will take from Wednesday 30 June 2021.
29 June 2021 – Media Statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice: The Prime Minister announced today that Auckland will join the rest of the country and move to Alert Level 1 from mid-day Friday 12 March 2021.
This statement explains the approach the courts will take from Saturday 13 March 2021.
12 March 2021 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice following the announcement that Auckland will move to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and the rest of the country to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 from 6am on Sunday 7
March 2021.
This statement explains the approach the courts will take from 6am on Sunday 7 March 2021.
5 March 2021 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice explaining the approach the courts will take in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand from 6.00am on Sunday 28 February 2021 for seven days.
This statement explains the approach the courts will take from Monday 1 March 2021.
28 February 2021 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice: The Prime Minister announced today that Auckland will join the rest of the country and move to Alert Level 1 from 11.59pm Monday 22 February 2021.
This statement explains the approach the courts will take from Tuesday 23 February 2021.
22 February 2021 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice: The Prime Minister announced today that Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 and the rest of the country will move to Alert Level 1 from 11.59pm Wednesday 17 February 2021.
This statement explains the approach the courts will take from Thursday 18 February.
17 February 2021 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice explaining the approach the courts will take in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand from 11.59pm on Sunday 14 February 2021 for three days.
14 February 2021 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice: Jury trials arrangements for the week beginning 21 September 2020. Explaining the approach the courts will take next week if the Alert Levels change.
18 September 2020 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice explaining that jury trials will resume in Auckland from Monday 7 September 2020 and provides information as to the arrangements put in place to keep jurors safe while Auckland remains at Alert Level 2 with extra restrictions.
3 September 2020 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice explaining that masks should be worn in court from Monday 31 August 2020; the use of masks in courthouses elsewhere in the country is encouraged. This statement explains the courts’ policy for masks starting from Monday 31 August.
28 August 2020 – Media statement from the Chief Justice(external link)
Statement from the Chief Justice confirming jury trials scheduled to start in the week of 31 August in the Auckland District Court and Manukau District Court will not proceed and re-confirming that all trials scheduled to be heard in the rest of the country will continue as scheduled.
27 August 2020 – Media statement from the Chief Justice
Statement from the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran, regarding the establishment of a streamlined adoption-application process for families expecting babies through overseas-based surrogates after the COVID-19 pandemic threw their future into doubt.
25 August 2020 – Streamlined process for COVID-delayed surrogacy babies
Statement from the Chief Justice regarding suspension of jury trials under COVID-19 Alert Levels 2 & 3.
11 August 2020 – Media statement from the Chief Justice
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu: New Protocol for the District Court at Alert Level 2
13 May 2020 – New Protocol for the District Court at Alert Level 2
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu: Extra measures to observe COVID-19 Alert Level 3
27 April 2020 – Extra measures to observe COVID-19 Alert Level 3
Extra measures to observe COVID-19 Alert Level 3. Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu: The District Court under COVID-19 Alert Level 3
24 April 2020 – The District Court under COVID-19 Alert Level 3
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu: UPDATE —District Court Sittings During the Alert 4 Period
1 April 2020 update – District Court sittings during the Alert Level 4 period
Statement: Media Statement by the Chief Justice of New Zealand, Te Tumu Whakawā o Aotearoa, The Right Honorable Dame Helen Winkelmann.
Public access to courts tightened for safety reasons
Statement from the Chief District Court Judge, Judge Heemi Taumaunu: District Court Sittings During the Alert 4 Period.
District Court sittings during the Alert Level 4 period
Statement from the Principal Family Court Judge, Judge Jacquelyn Moran, regarding the care arrangements of children subject to Family Court Orders.
Children in shared care and COVID-19
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