Dear
DISPUTES TRIBUNAL:
I am pleased to advise you that Her Excellency the Governor-General has appointed
you as a Referee of the Disputes Tribunal for the region.
This term of appointment is effective for three years from the date of the warrant of
appointment. A copy of the warrant is enclosed for your record.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you well in your new role and I hope that you
find the work interesting and rewarding.
Yours sincerely
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Hon Nicole McKee
Associate Minister of Justice (Firearms)
Encl
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DISPUTES TRIBUNAL – AUCKLAND REGION
The Disputes Tribunal is  currently seeking expressions of interest  for  the role  of Disputes Tribunal
Referee in the Auckland region.  The Disputes Tribunal is a division of the District Court.  It hears a
range of civil claims up to a value of $30,000.00.  The jurisdiction is expected to rise to $60,000.00
upon the enactment of the Disputes Tribunal Amendment Bill.  Disputes Tribunal claims cover a range
of  civil  matters,  including  contract,  commercial,  consumer  and  property  damage  claims.  For  more
information on the Tribunal and the role of a Referee see the latest Annual Report for 2024 available
at:
https://www.disputestribunal.govt.nz/disputes-tribunal-annual-reports/
Referees are appointed as judicial officers by warrant from the Governor- General on the advice of
the Associate Minister of Justice.  Most Referees begin by sitting between 2-4 days a week.  This is
flexible.
Referees  conduct  hearings  either  remotely  or  in  a  hearing  room  at  the  District  Court.  During  the
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hearing,  the  Referee  may  facilitate  a  resolution,  or  if  this  is  not  possible,  makes  a  decision  on  the
matter.  This decision is provided in writing and has the status of a District Court order.  As a judicial
officer working in a Tribunal setting, you would need to have strong legal and analytical abilities,  hold
relevant qualifications in law, mediation or arbitration, and enjoy working with people from all walks
of life to help them resolve their differences.  Full training is provided.
Successful candidates will show abilities in listening, assessing information, making decisions, relating
to  a  wide  variety  of  people,  responding  sensitively  to  cultural  differences,  expressing  themselves
clearly, and be able to engage in alternative ways of resolving disputes.  A Referee also needs to show
common sense and practical judgement and must be able to act with fairmindedness and impartiality.
The criteria for assessment are set out in R38 of the Disputes Tribunal Rules 1989.
Referees  are  paid  $960.00  per  sitting  day.  To  begin  the  application  process,  a  person  within  the
community needs to nominate you for the role.  Nominations must be sent in writing or  by email. A
nomination  must  contain  the  name,  address,  telephone  number  and  email  address  of  both  the
nominator and the person being nominated.  Once a nomination has been received, the person who
is nominated will be sent an application pack with details relating to the position and how to apply for
it.
Nominations are to be made to the Principal Disputes Referee, DX SX 11159, Wellington, or by email
to [email address].  Nominations must be received by this office no later than 5:00
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p.m. on Friday, 31 October 2025.  Late nominations are not able to be accepted.

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