Most courts and tribunals will be closed during the holiday period. All courts and tribunals will be open on Monday 14 January 2019, with some opening from Thursday 3 January 2019.

If you have any questions, call 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787).

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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 2018) 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 14 January 2019.

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 27, 28, and 31 December.

Urgent High Court applications can be made during the Christmas New Year period

For urgent High Court applications please ring the emergency contact for the relevant court or circuit as noted below. The court contact person will make arrangements for a duty judge.

Applications from:

  • Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Whangārei should be directed to the Auckland contact
  • Blenheim, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Masterton, Napier, Nelson, Palmerston North, Whanganui should be directed to the Wellington contact
  • Dunedin, Greymouth, Invercargill, Timaru should be directed to the Christchurch contact.

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.

High Court Emergency contacts

Auckland High Court: John Richardson - 027 474 3995
Wellington High Court: Jane Penney - 027 509 3918
Christchurch High Court: Sharon Graham - 027 553 4338

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Court hours for each court and tribunal

Senior Courts

Supreme Court

The Chief Justice has determined the following:

Close: 1pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Wednesday 9 January

Court of Appeal

The President of the Court of Appeal has determined the following:

Close: 1pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Thursday 3 January

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, Friday 21 December
Open: 9am, Friday 4 January

District Court

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne, Hamilton, Hastings, Hutt Valley, Invercargill, Kaikohe, Levin, Manukau, Masterton, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, North Shore, Palmerston North, Porirua, Queenstown, Rotorua, Tauranga, Timaru, Waitakere, Wellington, Whakatane, Whanganui, Whangarei

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Thursday 3 January

Blenheim and Greymouth

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Friday 4 January

Hawera, Huntly, Kaitaia, Morrinsville, Papakura, Pukekohe, Taupo, Thames

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Monday 7 January

Alexandra

Close: 5pm, Friday 21 December
Open: 9am, Monday 14 January

Gore

Close: 4pm, Friday 21 December
Open: 9am, Monday 14 January

Ashburton, Dannevirke, Taihape, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Wairoa, Westport

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Monday 14 January

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

Special Jurisdictions

All Employment and Environment Courts

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Thursday 3 January

Māori Land Courts

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 10am, Thursday 3 January

The Auckland Information Office (3-14th January phones calls diverted to Whangarei)

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Monday 14 January

Coronial Services

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Thursday 3 January

The National Initial Investigation Office (NIIO) will remain open 24 hours a day.

Tribunals Unit

Close: 3pm, Monday 24 December
Open: 9am, Thursday 3 January

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