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Courts and Tribunals Christmas Hours 2019/20
Most courts and tribunals will be closed during the holiday period. All courts and tribunals will be open on Monday 13 January 2020, with some opening from Friday 3 January 2020. If you have any questions, call 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787).
On this page:
Courts and Tribunals Operating Hours
Supreme Court
The Chief Justice has determined the following:
Close: 5pm, Monday 23 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 6 January 2020
Court of Appeal
The President of the Court of Appeal has determined the following:
Close: 5pm, Monday 23 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 6 January 2020
High Court
Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne, Greymouth, Hamilton, Invercargill, Masterton, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Tauranga, Timaru, Wellington, Whanganui, Whangarei (Rule 3.2 High Court Rules 2016)
Close: 5pm, Monday 23 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 6 January 2020
District Court
Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne, Greymouth, Hamilton, Hastings, Hutt Valley, Invercargill, Levin, Manukau, Masterton, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North, Porirua, Rotorua, Tauranga, Timaru, Waitakere, Wellington, Whakatane, Whanganui, Whangarei
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 9am, Friday 3 January 2020
Hawera, Huntly, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Morrinsville, Papakura, Pukekohe, Queenstown, Taupo, Thames, Tokoroa
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 6 January 2020
Alexandra, Ashburton, Dannevirke, Gore,Taihape, Taumarunui, Wairoa, Westport
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 13 January 2020
The following courts are Hearing Courts. They will not be open over the Christmas and New Year’s period, and will resume hearings as rostered in the New Year:
Chatham Islands, Dargaville, Kaikoura, Marton, Oamaru, Opotiki, Ruatoria, Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Waihi, Waipukurau
All Employment and Environment Courts
Close: 3pm, Monday 23 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 6 January 2020
Māori Land Courts
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 10am, Monday 6 January 2020
The Auckland Information Office (3-14th January phones calls diverted to Whangārei)
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 9am, Monday 13 January 2020
Coronial Services
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 9am, Friday 3 January 2020
The National Initial Investigation Office (NIIO) will remain open 24 hours a day.
Tribunals Unit
Close: 3pm, Tuesday 24 December 2019
Open: 9am, Friday 3 January 2020
Processing Urgent Matters
Urgent applications to the Family Court
Urgent applications to the Family Court will be dealt with by duty judges who are available each weekday, except for the public holidays on 25–26 December and 1–2 January.
All urgent Family Court applications are required to be submitted to the registry by 2.00pm (exception 12pm on 24 December 2019) in order for them to be processed. Any applications received after that time will be considered the following day.
The process for urgent Family Court applications will go back to normal on Monday 13 January 2020.
Mental Health
Judges will be available to deal with any applications made to the Family Court for a review of a patient’s condition, section 16 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
Arrest courts
Arrest courts will be held over the holiday period as needed. If you have any questions about a friend or family member who has been arrested, you should contact the relevant police station.
Urgent Harmful Digital Communications Act applications
Judges will be available to deal with any urgent applications filed under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (HDCA) on 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31 December 27, 28, and 31 December.
Urgent High Court Applications
Urgent High Court applications can be made during the Christmas and New Year period.Any urgent applications to be heard over the Christmas – New Year period will only be heard in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch High Court registries.