0800 COURTS closes at 3:00pm 24 December 2025, for urgent matters (relating to family matter or bail conditions), please call 0800 253 425. 0800 4 FINES closes at 7:00pm, 24 December 2025. Our Contact Centres will reopen at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 3:00pm on Friday 19 December, reopening at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
The Student Allowance Appeal Authority consists of a chairperson who deals with all appeals. The authority is entirely independent of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) (which administers Studylink).
The current Authority is Mr Mel Orange.
Ministry of Justice staff from the Tribunals Unit assist with the registration and case management of the appeals.
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