On 24 January 2026, the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal will increase from $30,000 to $60,000. A new filing fee of $468 will apply to claims ranging between $30,001 and $60,000.
The jurisdiction change is intended to improve access to justice by making it easier and more affordable to resolve higher-value disputes. The increased financial jurisdiction is expected to benefit people who may not be able to afford taking a disputed claim to the District Court, or where the cost of going to the District Court would be more than the amount they are claiming.
The Disputes Tribunal application process will not change. The public will continue to be able to submit claims using the existing processes. More information about how to make a claim can be found here: How to make a claim | Disputes Tribunal of New Zealand(external link)
More general information about the Disputes Tribunal can also be found here, including how the tribunal works: Disputes Tribunal | Disputes Tribunal of New Zealand (external link)