Supreme Court of New Zealand

Supreme Court building: Progress Report No. 2

An important milestone in the development of New Zealand's new Supreme Court took place on 23 May with a blessing ceremony both in Justice Park and inside the historic High Court building in Wellington.

Kaumatua and representatives from local iwi, lead by Mark Te One a Trustee of the Wellington Tenths Trust (on behalf of Sam Jackson) supported by June Jackson as Kai Karanga, and including Ministers representing a number of denominations blessed the sites. The sites are of cultural significance to local iwi due to their location as they were once part of Wellington's harbour.

Minister for Courts Rick Barker acknowledged the role of Tangata Whenua in the project and gave thanks for the blessing which he said gave dignity to the ceremony, "a truly New Zealand experience".

He described the Supreme Court project as an important piece of work, not just for Courts, but for all New Zealand.

"This generation is entrusted with the restoration of an important historic building for future generations and for a new building that will last 100 years," Rick Barker said. "It will be something we can all be proud of."

Secretary for Justice Belinda Clark said the milestone event was a credit to the partnership and collaboration of a "huge number of people over a long period of time". She acknowledged the teamwork of lawyers, builders, planners, the Wellington City Council, the Historic Places Trust and Ministry staff and thanked them for their support, dedication, time and when needed, a willingness to compromise.

Four Supreme Court judges, the Right Honourable Justice Blanchard, the Right Honourable Justice Tipping, the Honourable Justice McGrath and the Honourable Justice Anderson attended the blessing ceremony.

The Right Honourable Justice Peter Blanchard addressed the gathering, admiring "this wonderful site that has seen so much judicial life since the 1870s".

Justice Blanchard said he was delighted the existing building will be preserved and used while noting plans for the future development as both functional and doing the justice system proud.