Ministry of Justice

Parliament has passed the Juries (Age of Excusal) Amendment Bill, which raises the age at which people may choose to be excused from jury service from 65 to 72 years.

The change updates sections of the Juries Act 1981 so that automatic excusal now applies to those aged 72 and over. The reform is intended to broaden the pool of potential jurors and reflect the fact that many New Zealanders remain active in work and community life beyond 65. 

The Bill was introduced as a Member’s Bill by Whanganui MP Carl Bates and will come into force on 21 February 2026. It is expected to support the efficient operation of the justice system by ensuring a wider and more representative group of people is available for jury service.