0800 COURTS closes at 3:00pm 24 December 2025, for urgent matters (relating to family matter or bail conditions), please call 0800 253 425. 0800 4 FINES closes at 7:00pm, 24 December 2025. Our Contact Centres will reopen at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 3:00pm on Friday 19 December, reopening at 8:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
It is rare, but permissible for a member of the media to address a judge. Media representatives should usually communicate with the court by approaching registry staff, specifically the court registrar in charge of the file.
If issues arise while a hearing is in progress, media representatives should, if possible, communicate to the judge by giving notes to the court taker. If the importance and urgency of the situation means that is not possible, it is permissible for a media representative to stand and seek to address the judge. If you address a judge in court, address the judge as “Your Honour”.
Media have standing in court in relation to suppression orders, under s210 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This gives media the right to tell the court their views on a suppression order application.
This page was last updated: