NOTE: During COVID-19 Alert level 4 any statutory declarations that are requested with expressions of interest are not required to be declared. Please complete the declaration form and merely sign it. You may be requested to have it declared at a later stage.

On this page:

Appointment as a District Court Judge

If you wish to register your interest in appointment as a District Court Judge you can fill in this:

Expression of interest form [PDF, 116 KB]

or you can read more about it in this:

Judicial appointments information booklet [PDF, 360 KB]

Appointment to the High Court Bench

If you wish to register your interest in appointment as a High Court Judge or Associate Judge you can fill in this form:

Expression of interest form [DOCX, 26 KB]

or you can read more about the protocol here:

Appointments protocol [PDF, 143 KB]

Environment Judge

The Attorney-General wishes to hear from suitably qualified persons who would like to be considered for appointment as an Environment Judge. In addition to appointment to that position the successful candidate will also be appointed a District Court Judge. To be eligible for appointment candidates must have held a practising certificate as a barrister or solicitor for at least seven years.

Appointments to the Environment Court are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General following consultation with the Minister for the Environment and Minister of Māori Affairs.

The Attorney-General is conscious of the value of increasing diversity on the District Court bench generally and therefore seeks to encourage expressions of interest from qualified women as well as those from under-represented ethnic groups.

All eligible persons who complete an expression of interest form will be considered. Appointments are based on merit. The criteria for appointment include:

  • Demonstrated knowledge and wide application of the law, in particular the Resource Management Act 1991, and overall high quality as a lawyer demonstrated in a relevant legal occupation.
  • Personal qualities such as honesty and integrity, impartiality, good judgement and the ability to work hard.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • The ability to absorb and analyse complex and competing factual and legal material.
  • Awareness and sensitivity to the diversity of New Zealand society.
  • Knowledge of cultural and gender issues.

Persons interested in appointment are asked to complete an expression of Interest form, provide a Curriculum Vitae and submit them to judicialappointments@justice.govt.nz by 5pm on Friday, 27 March 2020.

Expression of interest form [PDF, 116 KB]

Judicial appointments information booklet [PDF, 360 KB]

If you have already expressed interest in appointment as an Environment Judge based in Auckland please confirm your interest in this appointment by email to the above address.

The appointee will not take up the role until July 2020.

All expressions of interest will be handled with the highest degree of confidentiality.

Appointment as Environment Commissioner - Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland

The Attorney-General is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons for appointment as Environment Commissioners based in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland. 

The Environment Court is a specialist Court with jurisdiction over environmental and resource management matters. 

Commissioners are appointed for terms not exceeding five years and may be reappointed.

For these appointments the Court is seeking candidates with skills in planning for the Christchurch based position and engineering and environmental science skills are sought for the Wellington or Auckland positions. You will also bring familiarity with the Resource Management Act and strong mediation experience.  Importantly, you will possess excellent communication skills, mental agility and self-confidence.        

Environment Commissioner Position Description [DOCX, 29 KB]

Environment Commissioner Expression of Interest form and declaration [DOCX, 34 KB] 

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 27 March 2020. 

Please email your application and curriculum vitae to gavin.duffy@justice.govt.nz

or post to:

Gavin Duffy
Appointments and Specialist Functions Unit
Ministry of Justice
SX10088
WELLINGTON

Judge of the Employment Court

The Attorney-General wishes to hear from suitably qualified persons who would like to be considered for appointment as a Judge of the Employment Court in Auckland. Persons appointed to the Employment Court must have held a practising certificate as a barrister or solicitor for at least seven years.

The position will suit someone with a particular interest in, and knowledge of, New Zealand’s employment law. The criteria for judicial appointment includes:

  • sound knowledge of the law and experience of its application
  • qualities of character such as personal honesty and integrity, impartiality, good judgement, the ability to work hard and independence
  • ability to assist persons to resolve litigation other than by judgment
  • effective oral and written communication skills
  • ability to absorb and analyse complex and competing factual and legal material
  • aware of, and sensitive to, the diversity of modern New Zealand society
  • aware of the special characteristics of employment relationships.

The appointment process is similar to that of a District Court Judge. That process and criteria for appointment is here:

Judicial Appointments Information Booklet [PDF, 360 KB]

Persons interested in appointment are asked to complete an Expression of Interest form, provide a Curriculum Vitae and submit them to judicialappointments@justice.govt.nz by 5pm on Friday, 24 April 2020.

Employment Court Judge expression of interest form [DOCX, 27 KB]

If you have already expressed interest in appointment as an Employment Court Judge please confirm your interest in this appointment by email to the above address.

Principal Disputes Referee

Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified persons for the position of Principal Disputes Referee as established by section 6A of the Disputes Tribunal Act 1988.

The Principal Disputes Tribunal Referee carries out a range of functions aimed at ensuring the integrity of the office of Referee is maintained and enhancing the quality of decision making by Disputes Tribunal Referees. Functions include overseeing the selection process for Referees, giving legal advice to Referees, and advising the Chief District Court Judge on matters such as the rostering and performance of Referees.

The Principal Disputes Referee may also sit as a Disputes Tribunal Referee. Referees mediate or adjudicate disputes involving civil claims brought before them by parties who represent themselves.

To be appointed as the Principal Disputes Tribunal you must have a Bachelor of Laws from a New Zealand university, or an equivalent qualification. Candidates must also have demonstrated leadership and management skills, a reputation for honesty, good judgement, highly effective communication skills and an awareness of Tikanga Māori and the diversity of New Zealand’s communities, and must have the ability to accept a level of public scrutiny.

The Principal Disputes Tribunal Referee is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister of Justice, for a term of 5 years and may be reappointed.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 1 May 2020.

Please email your expression of interest, declaration and current curriculum vitae to phil.gini@justice.govt.nz.

Principal Disputes Referee - Position description [PDF, 128 KB]

Principal Disputes Referee - Expression of interest [DOCX, 26 KB]

Coroner: Whangarei

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons wishing to be considered for appointment as a Coroner based at Whangarei.

Coroners are appointed under section 103 of the Coroners Act 2006. To be appointed as a Coroner the Act requires that the appointee must have held a practising certificate as a barrister or solicitor for at least 5 years.

Coroners must also be able to demonstrate:

  • an advanced knowledge of, or high level of interest in learning about, coronial law and coronial systems and practices
  • an ability to gather, absorb and weigh evidence from a wide variety of disciplines and sources, to produce timely findings that are robust and credible
  • highly developed written communication skills
  • good community liaison skills and an understanding of the need to take account of various religious and cultural perspectives, including those of Māori, in performing the duties of coroner
  • A high level of competence and confidence in the use of technological aids including in particular computer skills
  • high personal and professional standards
  • an ability to work independently, as well as in collaboration with other coroners and coronial services staff
  • ability to work under pressure for sustained periods of time including out of normal business hours on a nationally rostered basis.

The position will be a full-time with the salary and allowances set independently by the Remuneration Authority.

A comprehensive programme of professional development will be provided to support the successful candidate in meeting the requirements of the role.

The location of the appointment will be at Whangarei but there is an expectation of flexibility to cover other areas both remotely and by travel.

Applications close on Friday 17 April 2020.

Please email your expression of interest, declaration and current curriculum vitae to phil.gini@justice.govt.nz.

Coroner Whangarei - Position description [PDF, 104 KB]

Coroner Whangarei - Expression of interest [DOCX, 18 KB]

Tenancy Adjudicator Rotorua and Taupo

A Tenancy Adjudicator is required for the Tenancy Tribunal in Rotorua and Taupo. This is a part time position with a standard commitment of one to two days per week. Some flexibility may be necessary to fit the demands of the roster.

The successful applicant will have a legal qualification or relevant experience in adjudication. Applicants must demonstrate a capacity for impartial adjudication, the ability to conduct a hearing professionally, and an ability to manage hearings with self-representing parties. They must also be able to demonstrate efficient work habits, good time-management and an ability to make clear, logical decisions. Good oral and written communication skills are essential, as is computer literacy. Some flexibility to travel would be beneficial.

Further information is included in the application pack:

Tenancy Adjudicator Rotorua and Taupo - Application pack [DOCX, 29 KB]

For more information about the position, contact Tania Togiatama – email: tania.togiatama@justice.govt.nz or phone (07) 921 7478.

Applications for the position close at 5.00pm, Thursday 23 April 2020.

Tenancy Adjudicator Napier and Hastings

A Tenancy Adjudicator is required for the Tenancy Tribunal in Napier and Hastings. This is a part time position with a standard commitment of one to two days per week. Some flexibility may be necessary to fit the demands of the roster.

The successful applicant will have a legal qualification or relevant experience in adjudication. Applicants must demonstrate a capacity for impartial adjudication, the ability to conduct a hearing professionally, and an ability to manage hearings with self-representing parties. They must also be able to demonstrate efficient work habits, good time-management and an ability to make clear, logical decisions. Good oral and written communication skills are essential, as is computer literacy. Some flexibility to travel would be beneficial.

Further information is included in the application pack:

Tenancy Adjudicator Napier and Hastings - Application pack [DOCX, 28 KB]

For more information about the position, contact Tania Togiatama – email: tania.togiatama@justice.govt.nz or phone (07) 921 7478.

Applications for the position close at 5.00pm, Thursday 23 April 2020.

 
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