Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
12 February 2024
John Luke
[FYI request #25440 email]
Ref: OIA 109115
Tēnā koe John
Official Information Act request: Justices of the Peace
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 18 January
2024 to the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry). Specifically, you requested:
… a copy of Justice of Peace's template appointment letter and warrant card. Would
judicial Justice of Peace received any extra appointment letter and warrant card, if so
can you please also provide the template as well.
A copy of the letter a Justice of the Peace (JPs) receives on appointment is attached and
released to you in full. JPs receive the same letter on appointment as they are all initially
appointed as Ministerial JPs responsible for witnessing documents and administering
affidavits.
Section 1.3 of the Justice of the Peace Best Practice Manual provides further information
about induction and training for provisional JPs. Once this training is complete, they are
sworn into office by a District Court judge, and they can then exercise their jurisdiction. The
manual is available at: justice.govt.nz/assets/20161003-justice-of-peace-best-practice-
manual.pdf/ The appointment of all JPs is publicly notified in the
New Zealand Gazette at:
gazette.govt.nz/
A copy of a JP warrant card is also attached that is given to all JPs regardless of whether
they undertake Ministerial or Judicial work. Judicial JPs do not have a separate card.
A small number of Justices work as Judicial JPs in the District Court having completed the
requisite training. The Ministry does not hold correspondence of JPs authorised to undertake
Judicial work as this is a judicial function and is not subject to the Act by virtue of section
2(6)(a). I must therefore refuse this part of your request under section 18(g) of the Act on the
grounds that the information requested is not held by the Ministry or any other agency
subject to the Act.
If you require any further information, please contact Media & Social Media Manager Joe
Locke at [email address]
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at: justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses
You have the right under section 28 of the Act to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
ombudsman.parliament.nz or call 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Wayne Newall
Manager, Appointments and Specialist Functions
1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED
1982
ACT 1982
ACT
[Date]
[Name]
[Street address]
[Town/City]
[First name]
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
RELEASED
