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Appointment to the District Court or Environment Court Bench

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

Expression of interest form (PDF) [PDF, 197 KB]

Expression of interest form (Word) [DOCX, 81 KB]

or you can read more about it in this booklet:

Judicial appointments information booklet [DOCX, 42 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 [PDF, 305 KB]

or you can read more about the protocol here:

Appointments protocol [DOCX, 86 KB]

Referees, Disputes Tribunal - Whangārei, Tauranga, Rotorua and Christchurch

The Disputes Tribunal is currently seeking expressions of interest for the role of Disputes Tribunal Referees in the following regions:

More information for each region can be found at the links above.

Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, 4th July 2025. Late nominations will not be accepted.

Land Valuation Tribunal - Members

Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for the role of Member of the Land Valuation Tribunal.

The Tribunal has jurisdiction to determine the value of land under a number of Acts. The significant ones include:

  • The Ratings Valuations Act 1998: the Tribunal deals with appeals from local authority rating valuations.  These cases form the bulk of the Tribunal work
  • The Public Works Act 1981: the Tribunal has jurisdiction to determine the value of land for the purpose of compensation when land has been taken for public works.  This is rarely exercised.
  • The Maori Vested Land Act: the Tribunal may determine disputes about the value of improvement on land returned to owners. This is a rarely exercised jurisdiction but there are currently a group of cases awaiting hearing in the Wanganui Tribunal.
  • The Maori Reserve Land Amendment Acts 1997 and 1998: the Tribunal may determine land value for the purposes of Crown compensation to leasees or leasors of Maori land of capital loss when rent is increased.

Under s19 (2) of the Land Valuation Proceedings Act, Land Valuation Tribunals are constituted at a number of locations.  Each tribunal consists of:

  1. One member, a District Court Judge, who shall be appointed as Chairperson of the Tribunal
  2. Two other members, one or both of whom shall be valuers registered under the Valuers Act 1948

A member will be appointed for their valuation expertise to assist the Chair of the Tribunal. The Tribunal hears a range of expert evidence regarding valuation, and the function of the valuer-members is to bring critical analysis to the evidence and enable the tribunal to make a decision based in sound valuation practice.

Other competencies include:

  • The ability to analyse and test complex technical evidence and make decisions within a statutory framework
  • The personal integrity and team-work skills required to be a member of a judicial body
  • Understanding of processes for the taking of land and related compensation processes
  • Experience in working with or familiarity with relevant legislation, with knowledge of designations and district plans also advantageous
  • An understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi

Applicants should complete the Expression of Interest form and email it, together with a current curriculum vitae and covering letter summarising your reasons for seeking appointment as a Member.

Please be aware that applicants must be valuers registered under the Valuers Act 1948.

General.OLC@justice.govt.nz

Expressions of interest close 4.00 p.m. on Friday 11 July 2025.

Community Magistrates - North Island

The Minister of Justice is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons for appointment as part-time Community Magistrates to be based in the above region. The present intention is that three appointments be made for this region.

Community Magistrates were established to relieve the workload of District Court Judges and to improve access to and to increase community involvement in the justice system.

The office of Community Magistrate is now established under the District Court Act 2016.  Community Magistrates deal with a wide-ranging body of work which could otherwise be allocated to Judges and play a significant and valued role in the modern District Court.

The ideal applicants will have a background and/or qualifications in law or related areas.  Practising lawyers are not eligible for appointment.

Expressions of interest close on Friday 18 July at 4PM.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Please email your completed application forms, curriculum vitae and a covering letter to General.OLC@justice.govt.nz  (Enquiries may also be directed to this email address)

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