Welcome to the 2025 annual report of the District Court of New Zealand | Te Kōti ā Rohe o Aotearoa. We are the largest court in Australasia and the following pages provide you with a snapshot that reflects the volume and breadth of our activities.
You will find sections on the progress we are making with our timely access to justice and Te Ao Mārama – Enhancing Justice for All initiatives. When people experience delay in cases proceeding through the District Court there is a human toll. For many, their lives will remain on hold until their case is finished. Our timely access initiative is reducing those delays. It works in tandem with Te Ao Mārama, which aims to ensure everyone, including victims, witnesses and whānau, can understand and better take part in the cases that relate to them.
Another section of the report looks at our progress in developing a new digital case and court management system, Te Au Reka.
Elsewhere, Principal Family Court Judge Jacquelyn Moran, Principal Youth Court Judge Ida Malosi, National Executive Judge James Johnston and I discuss different aspects of the conduct of the business of the District Court.
There are graphs and tables to show the workload of the court. And there are examples of how we stay connected with other parts of the justice system and with the people of New Zealand through open justice and our contacts with the communities we serve.
We introduce you to the judicial officers who joined us in 2025 and acknowledge those who left. We also describe some of the specialist courts we operate.
First, to better understand later sections, learn more about the principles that guide our court, what our functions are, our different types of judicial officer, our locations around the country, and where we fit within the wider court system.
I hope you find our report informative and it provides you with a useful insight into the District Court of New Zealand.
Ngā mihi,
This website explains many of the things you might want to know if you are coming to the Youth Court, or just wondering how the Youth Court works.
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Ministry of Justice website with information on family issues including about going to court, forms and other times when you may need help.
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For information about courts and tribunals, including going to court, finding a court & collection of fines and reparation.
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On this site you will find information about our Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court including recent decisions, daily lists and news.
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