IMPORTANT: All the key information relating to our Ministry's response to COVID-19 is in our COVID-19 information hub
This page was last updated on 2 December 2021 at 11.59pm.
Latest updates on our website relating to the Ministry's response to COVID-19.
2 December 2021
As of 11:59pm on 2 December Aotearoa will have moved to the traffic light setting. Northland, Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts are set at Red. The rest of the North Island is set at Orange. The whole of the South Island is set at Orange.
All courts to continue operating under existing arrangements. From Monday 6 December, new transitional protocols will be in place. Further guidance to be released tomorrow on the Courts of NZ website.(external link)
29 November 2021
The Government has announced that Aotearoa New Zealand will move into the COVID-19 Protection Framework 'traffic light' system at 11.59pm on Thursday 2 December 2021. Visit the Government COVID-19 website(external link) to see the different region colours under the new system.
The Auckland border will reopen on 15 December 2021 for those who are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure.
20 November 2021
Waikato courts will return to operating at Alert Level 2 protocols from Monday 22 November 2021.
17 November 2021
Parts of the Waikato (including Hamilton) moved to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm last night. The Auckland region is at Alert Level 3. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
12 November 2021
Northern Northland moved to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm last night. The Auckland region and parts of the Waikato region (including Hamilton) are at Alert Level 3. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
The Chief Justice released a media statement on 11 November [PDF, 181 KB] regarding jury trial suspensions in Auckland and Waikato, and advising that Kaitaia District Court is now operating under Alert Level 2 protocols
9 November 2021
Uploaded the Chief Justice's media statement of 4 November regarding jury trials in Waikato for November
3 November 2021
The Auckland region, northern Northland (including Kaitaia) and parts of the Waikato region (including Hamilton) are at Alert Level 3. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed today that Northland will move to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 19 October. Auckland will remain at current Alert Level 3 restrictions for at least another two weeks. Parts of Waikato will remain at current Alert Level 3 restrictions with a review on Friday, 22 October. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
The COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed today that Northland and parts of the Waikato region will remain at Alert Level 3 until at least 11.59pm on Monday, 18 October. Auckland remains at Alert level 3 until at least 11.59pm on Tuesday, 19 October. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
The Prime Minister has confirmed today that Auckland will remain at Alert Level 3 for at least another week. Northland and parts of the Waikato region will remain at Alert Level 3 until at least 11.59pm on Thursday, 14 October, with these settings being reviewed on Wednesday, 13 October. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
9 October 2021
The Auckland and Northland regions and some areas of Waikato, including Hamilton City, are at COVID-19 Alert Level 3. The remainder of New Zealand is at COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
Jurors who have been summoned to attend at court on Monday 11 October in Northland, Hamilton and parts of Waikato in Alert Level 3 do not need to attend. Please see Information for all court and tribunal users. Further advice for the rest of the week will be provided after the alert levels are reviewed.
8 October 2021
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed today that some parts of Northland will move to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm tonight and will be reviewed on Monday, 11 October. Auckland and parts of Waikato remain at Alert level 3 and the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
Some areas in the Waikato region are now at Alert Level 3 and will be reviewed on Friday, 8 October. Auckland remains at Alert level 3 and the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
The Prime Minister has confirmed today that some areas in the Waikato region will move from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm tonight and will be reviewed on Friday, 8 October. Auckland remains at Alert level 3 and the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand remains at Alert Level 2.
The Chief Justice released a media statement [PDF, 502 KB] today regarding Waikato area court protocols under Alert Level 3.
The Prime Minister has confirmed today that the Auckland region will move from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm tomorrow night, Tuesday 21 September 2021 and remain there for at least 2 weeks. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 2.
The Prime Minister has confirmed today that the Auckland region will remain at Alert Level 4 and the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand will remain at Delta Alert Level 2 for at least another week
The Chief Justice released a media statement [PDF, 508 KB] last night regarding court operations under Alert Levels 2 and 4
6 September 2021
The Prime Minister has confirmed today that the Auckland region will remain at Alert Level 4 for at least another week. The rest of the country will move from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm tomorrow night, Tuesday 7 September 2021.
3 September 2021
The Auckland region is at COVID-19 Alert Level 4. Everywhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand is at Alert Level 3
The Chief Justice released a media statement [PDF, 503 KB] today regarding Northland court operations under Alert Level 3
1 September 2021
The Auckland region and areas north of Auckland are now at COVID-19 Alert Level 4. Everywhere south of the Auckland-Waikato border is at Alert Level 3. The Auckland region will remain in Alert Level 4 for at least two more weeks. Areas north of Auckland may move from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 September 2021, subject to confirmation.
The Prime Minister has confirmed today that the Auckland region will remain at Alert Level 4 for at least the next two weeks. Areas north of Auckland remain at Alert Level 4 and will be reviewed on Thursday 2 September. Areas south of the Auckland-Waikato border will shift from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm tomorrow night, Tuesday 31 August 2021, with a review of this alert level next week.
Jurors summoned for the week beginning Monday 30 August do not need to attend. Court staff will make contact with any juror already serving on a trial. All District Court matters considered 'priority proceedings' will be conducted remotely where possible in the Criminal, Family, Youth and Civil courts. See the latest media statement above from the Chief Justice for more detail
27 August 2021
The Prime Minister has announced today that Auckland and areas north of Auckland will remain at Alert Level 4 for at least the next two weeks. The rest of the country will shift from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 31 August 2021.
24 August 2021
The Chief Justice has released a new media statement [PDF, 687 KB] regarding the extension of COVID-19 Alert Level 4 and what it means for our court operations
The Prime Minister has announced that Auckland will be remaining at COVID-19 Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm, Tuesday 31 August 2021. The rest of Aotearoa New Zealand will remain at COVID-19 Level 4 until 11.59pm, Friday 27 August 2021.
No new jury trials will begin during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 in the High Court or District Court. Jury trials currently underway will remain adjourned.
Jurors summoned for the week beginning Monday 23 August do not need to attend. Court staff will make contact with any juror already serving on a trial. All District Court matters considered 'priority proceedings' will be conducted remotely where possible in the Criminal, Family, Youth and Civil courts. See the latest media statement below from the Chief Justice for more detail
The Prime Minister has just announced that the whole of New Zealand will be remaining at COVID-19 Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm, Tuesday 24 August 2021. This will have an impact on court operations and we will update this page as soon as we have more information.
As of 11.59pm tonight, the whole of New Zealand has moved to COVID-19 Alert Level 4. We will update this page tomorrow with further information relating to how this will impact court operations and Justice services.
The Prime Minister has just announced that from 11.59pm tonight, the whole of New Zealand will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 4. Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula will be at Alert Level 4 for seven days, while the rest of the country will be at Alert Level 4 for three days. This will have an impact on court operations and we will update this page as soon as we have more information.
29 June 2021
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that Wellington will return to Alert Level 1 at 11.59pm tonight, Tuesday 29 June with the rest of New Zealand staying at Alert Level 1. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols here and on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
27 June 2021
1.30pm: Wellington region remains at COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 1
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that Wellington will remain at COVID-19 Alert Level 2 for another 48 hours until 11.59pm Tuesday 29 June while the rest of New Zealand stays at Alert Level 1. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols here and on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
23 June 2021
6pm: Wellington region has now moved into COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 1
An updated Health and Safety factsheet for COVID-19 Alert Level 2 has been added to the top of our main COVID-19 Hub page
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that from 6pm tonight, 23 June, Wellington will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 while the rest of New Zealand stays at Alert Level 1. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols here and on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
12 March 2021
Auckland has moved into COVID-19 Alert Level 1 as at midday today. The rest of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 1
The Prime Minister announced that from 6am this Sunday 7 March, Auckland will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
Health and Safety factsheets for COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2 have been added to the top of our main COVID-19 Hub page
Auckland has moved into COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 2, for a period of 7 days
27 February 2021
The Prime Minister announced that from midnight tonight, Auckland will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
22 February 2021
The Prime Minister announced that from midnight tonight, all of New Zealand will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 1. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
18 February 2021
Health and Safety factsheets for COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and Alert Level 1 have been added to the top of our main COVID-19 Hub page
The Prime Minister announced that from midnight tonight, Auckland will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1. Please keep an eye out for updated court protocols on the Courts of New Zealand website(external link)
Health and Safety factsheets for COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2 have been added to the top of our main COVID-19 Hub page
Following the Prime Minister's announcement that Auckland will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 from midnight tonight and the rest of the country will move to Alert Level 2, the Chief Justice has prepared updated court protocols(external link)
Hamilton District and High Courts re-opened to the public
6 January 2021
Hamilton District and High Courts were closed today as a precautionary measure after a person awaiting the outcome of a COVID-19 test attended court. That person later tested negative, but both courts will undergo a deep clean tonight before re-opening to the public tomorrow.