The Government has confirmed funding to build a new courthouse in Tauranga.
The current courthouse is served by two linked buildings. The Cameron Rd building is leaky and too expensive to fix. The other, McLean House, is outdated.
As part of the estimated $208 million redevelopment, the Cameron Rd building will be decommissioned, and a new Courthouse building built on the corner of McLean, Willow and Monmouth Streets. This is across the road from McLean House, which will be refurbished as part of the project.
The number of courtrooms will increase from 10 to 13, including provision for High Court criminal trials to return to Tauranga, rather than be heard in Rotorua or Hamilton. This will minimise the extra travel burden placed on victims, whānau and lawyers resident in Tauranga.
Ministry of Justice Deputy Secretary Corporate & Digital Services, Tina Wakefield says the new courtrooms will be bigger, allowing for trials with large numbers of defendants to take place. There will be dedicated spaces for victims, participants and their whānau. The buildings will provide a safe and healthy environment for all court users.
“This is welcome news. We are pleased to be able to confirm the future direction of the project. We want to thank the local community and our partners for their continued support.”
We are now in the final phases of designing the courthouse. This design will reflect Te Ao Māori values and concepts including ‘Hohou te Rongo’, which is about resolution and restoration of balance. It will Include whānau centric spaces, where people can work with participants and their whānau to support, restore and facilitate.
“We would like to acknowledge the contribution of Te Kāhui Hapū o Te Papa - representatives of Ngāi Tamarāwaho, Ngāti Tapu, Ngāi Tūkairangi, Ngāti Hē, Ngāi Te Ahi and Ngāti Ruahine - we have worked together to help ensure the new courthouse will meet the needs of the Tauranga community.”
Work to prepare the site on the corner of McLean, Willow and Monmouth Streets is well underway.
“For the new courthouse we are progressing the design phase, where much of the detail will continue to be worked through with partners and key stakeholders. Construction is expected to begin next year.”