Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wellington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
10 August 2023
Lance Watson
[FYI request #23513 email]
Our ref: OIA 106121
Tēnā koe Lance
Official Information Act request
I am writing in response to your email of 17 July 2023 requesting, under the Official Information
Act 1982 (the Act), information relating to Deputy Sheriffs in New Zealand.
You asked,
“Is the appointment of Deputy Sheriffs still a common practice in New Zealand? If not,
when was the last time this practice was used?”
I can confirm the appointment of Deputy Sheriffs is still a common practice in New Zealand. Both
Deputy Sheriffs and Sheriffs can be appointed under the Public Service Act 2020 for offices of the
High Court. They are located at the sole High Courts which are Auckland, Wellington and
Christchurch. Their powers mainly involve enforcing orders or judgments issued by the Court.
You also asked,
“Is the arrest of persons in accordance with an order of the High Court by a Sheriff
still a common practice in New Zealand, as opposed to arrest by the New Zealand Police? If not,
when was the last time a registrar (acting as a Sheriff) or Deputy Sheriff arrested someone under
the powers granted to them in this act?”. The arrest of someone by a Sheriff (or a bailiff acting on instructions from a Sheriff) in accordance
with a High Court order is uncommon but still happens from time to time. Unfortunately, the Ministry
of Justice does not record data on when the last time a Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff or Registrar arrested
someone.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at: www.justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses/.
If you require any further information, please contact Media and Social Media Manager Joe Locke
at [email address].
If you are not satisfied with my response, you have the right to complain to the Ombudsman under
section
28(3)
of
the
Act.
The
Ombudsman
may
be
contacted
by
email
at
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Donella Gawith
Acting Group Manager, Senior Courts