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Expressions of interest are invited from persons wishing to be considered for appointment as the Principal Disputes Referee as established by section 6A of the Disputes Tribunal Act 1988.
The Principal Disputes Tribunal Referee carries out a range of functions aimed at ensuring the integrity of the office of Referee is maintained and enhancing the quality of decision making by Disputes Tribunal Referees. Functions include overseeing the selection process for Referees, giving legal advice to Referees, and advising the Chief District Court Judge on matters such as the rostering and performance of Referees.
The Principal Disputes Referee may also sit as a Disputes Tribunal Referee. Referees mediate or adjudicate disputes involving civil claims brought before them by parties who represent themselves.
To be appointed as the Principal Disputes Referee you must have a Bachelor of Laws from a New Zealand university, or an equivalent qualification. Candidates must also have demonstrated leadership and management skills, a reputation for honesty, good judgement, highly effective communication skills and an awareness of Tikanga Māori and the diversity of New Zealand’s communities, and must have the ability to accept a level of public scrutiny.
The Principal Disputes Tribunal Referee is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister of Justice for a term of up to 5 years, and may be reappointed.
Applications close Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 4pm.
Please email your expression of interest, declaration and current curriculum vitae to. General.OLC@justice.govt.nz.
Expressions of interest are invited from persons wishing to be considered for appointment as a Visiting Justice in the following areas:
Auckland
Waikato
Manawatu
Canterbury
Otago
Section 19 (2) of the Corrections Act 2004 provides that the Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, appoint any Justice of the Peace or barrister or solicitor of the High Court to be a Visiting Justice for every prison. Under section 19(4) of the Act Visiting Justices have the following powers in respect of each prison.
The central function of Visiting Justices is to hear charges and appeals relating to offences against prison discipline. They also review decisions to detain a prisoner in a police jail, to segregate a prisoner. Occasionally, Visiting Justices undertake inquiries into aspects of prison administration and the treatment of prisoners. They have statutory powers to conduct such inquiries and to report their findings to the chief executive of the Department of Corrections
In addition to a sound knowledge of the governing legislation and an interest in access to justice issues, appointees will need to have:
Relevant qualifications and or experience
Impartiality, open mindedness and good judgement
Sound decision-making abilities
Integrity
Listening and communication skills
Awareness and sensitivity to the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand’s constitution and the diversity of New Zealand society.
Visiting Justices hold office for a term of 3 years and may, from time to time, be reappointed.
Expressions of interest are sought by 8 June 2026 and should be emailed to General.OLC@justice.govt.nz (Enquiries may also be directed to this email address). Please include a full curriculum vitae and cover letter, together with completed expression of interest forms.