Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
11 May 2026
John Luke
[FYI request #34477 email]
Our ref: OIA 131751
Tēnā koe John
Official Information Act Request: Statutory Vacancies
Thank you for your email of 12 April 2026 requesting under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act), information relating to statutory vacancies. Specifically, you have asked:
1. "I note from several of my previous OIA requests that you currently have a
number of statutory appointments under consideration. Could you please
provide a list of those appointments that are stil in progress, along with the
stage each has reached (for example, shortlisted, interviewed, or progressing to
APH)?”
2. "I have also noticed that roles such as District Court Judge, Environment Court
Judge, and High Court Judge consistently appear on your recruitment page.
Could you please clarify the reason for this? Are you continuously recruiting for
these positions, and if so, how many vacancies are you currently seeking to
fill?”
For ease of reference, I numbered your request and have responded to each part below.
In response to part one of your request, the appointments currently under action, along with the
stage each has reached are listed below.
• Chief Community Magistrate. A briefing with warrant of appointment is with the
appointing Minister.
• Community Magistrates. A briefing relating to taking proposed appointments to the
Appointments and Honours Commit ee (APH) is pending signature from the
appointing Minister.
• Acting Community Magistrate. A briefing with warrant of appointment is with the
appointing Minister.
• Visiting Justices – Appointments and Reappointments. The Minister is yet to
approve the appointment/reappointment process.
• Land Valuation Tribunal – Reappointments. This is in the early stages. A briefing is
being prepared to send to the appointing Minister outlining options for the
reappointment process.
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes – Designation to
Panels. A briefing relating to taking proposed appointments to APH is pending
signature from the appointing Minister.
• Firearms Safety NZ. Advertising is underway for the Chief Executive role.
• Deputy Legal Complaints Review Officer. Interviews have been held and a
recommendation is with the appointing Minister.
• Disputes Tribunal (three appointments). The Post-interview Panel report is
currently with the appointing Minister.
• Criminal Case Review Commission. The appointing Minister has been briefed on
the upcoming expiry of the appointment of a member. The next steps are under
consideration.
• Electoral Commission. The appointing Minister wil shortly consult the House on a
proposal to appoint additional members of the Commission.
• Customs Appeal Authority. The appointing Minister’s directions are needed on the
review of the appointment of the current Authority.
• Taxation Appeal Authority. The appointing Minister’s directions are needed on the
review of the appointment of the current Authority.
• Public Protection Order Review Panel. A briefing is being prepared for the
appointing Minister about the need to fil a vacancy on the Review Panel.
• Relief Coroner. The Attorney-General was briefed on the upcoming expiry of six
relief coroner appointments.
In response to part two of your request, we maintain standing expression of interest registers on
behalf of the At orney-General for District, Environment, Employment, Associate High Court and
High Court Judge roles.
There are no vacancies presently being recruited to in those areas but from time to time the
relevant Head of Bench, in conjunction with the At orney-General, recommend candidates for
interview when vacancies arise (typically due to pending retirements or the occasional
resignation).
In anticipation of any further requests related to this topic, it is useful to note the judicial
expression of interest registers, and any documents related to judicial appointments, are held on
behalf of the At orney-General in the capacity of Senior Law Of icer of the Crown.
The Ombudsman has held that such matters are outside the scope of the Of icial Information Act
(Case W44280 refers).
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
Of icial Information Act responses | New Zealand Ministry of Justice.
If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman under section 28 of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman may be contacted by
phone on: 0800 802 602, by email at: [email address], or via the webform:
Make
a complaint (for members of the public) | Ombudsman New Zealand.
Nāku noa, nā
Wayne Newall
Manager, Appointments and Specialist Functions
