July at a glance

July was an exciting month, with several announcements continuing our investment in our people and services.

I am proud of the efforts of the Ministry in launching the National Transcription Service, which will benefit court users and transcription staff alike.

It was also my pleasure to travel to Invercargill to announce the redevelopment of the city’s Courthouse, and also visit Hastings to mark the commencement of work on the new Courthouse there.

New National Transcription Service Launched

July saw a new dawn for technology in the Courts with the launch of the National Transcription Service. Where transcribing was once done at a local level, and on carbon paper, the work will be shared among a national pool of Court Reporters based at 14 court sites and two Service Centres. The Wellington Service Centre has just started operating, and the second Service Centre is due to open in Auckland in November.

The new technology enables transcription staff at any location to transcribe a hearing from any courtroom connected to the National Transcription Service.

The new technology also means that witnesses are able to speak at a normal, uninterrupted speed. As well as providing a better experience for witnesses, it will help reduce the length of trials. All hearings in courtrooms equipped with ‘For the Record’ will be recorded and transcribed by Court Reporters located outside the courtroom. Transcripts of the evidence will be provided back to the court “in real time” – within thirty minutes – providing an almost immediate record of proceedings.

Pacific Court Ambassadors

Papakura Court Manager, Nicole Ridley, recently commenced a three month secondment to the Solomon Islands as part of the team put together by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Nicole will work as a High Court advisor, which will involve instituting filing systems and court libraries, as well as refining court procedures and recruitment processes.

Gavin Withers, Senior Advisor, National Training Co-ordinator for Higher Courts, left for Samoa in March for a 12 month secondment to the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration. Gavin is tasked with designing and implementing processes, organisational and case management, to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of the Samoan courts.

I consider that such staff sharing their knowledge with our Pacific neighbours reflects the quality of our court administrators, and am proud that our staff are leading the way.

Courts Infrastructure Update

Invercargill Courthouse

I travelled to Invercargill where I met with local stakeholders before announcing the redevelopment of the Invercargill Courthouse. This redevelopment will create more space, address security concerns, and cater to the local preference for the courthouse to remain in the CBD.

Hastings Courthouse

It was my pleasure to mark the beginning of work on the land designated for the new Hastings District court (pictured). 

The new courthouse will be three times bigger than the existing building and will consist of four courtrooms, mediation and hearing rooms, five judges’ chambers, one JP area, and a coroner’s room. The court will also feature advanced security systems and be capable of supporting video conferencing and evidence services.