The Government is undertaking a review of the legal aid system in 2025.
The release by the Ministry of Justice of a discussion document has prompted several questions from the legal profession and the public. To assist, the Ministry is publishing its responses to frequently asked questions to assist those who want to put in submissions.
As at 19 June 2025, there are 2715 approved legal aid providers. There are 513 approved civil legal aid lawyers, 1134 approved criminal legal aid lawyers (including the Public Defence Service), and 1008 approved family legal aid lawyers.
There are currently 2069 active legal aid lawyers. A provider is considered ‘active’ when they have accepted at least one legal aid grant over the past year.
Hourly rates for legal aid were last increased by 12% in 2022, prior to this the last increase to these rates was in 2008. Current hourly rates range from $103-$178 an hour.
The hourly rate for duty lawyers was raised in 2023 from $88 to $103 on weekdays and from $108 to $126 on weekends.
You can find more data on legal aid grants, and legal aid expenditure from 2015 to 2024, here: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice(external link)
For more information on the number of approved providers, including a breakdown of jurisdiction and region as at 19 June 2025, please see: OIA123110(external link)
For more information on legal aid expenditure, including disbursements and specialist reports, from 2020 to 2024, please see: OIA123110(external link)
For more data on family legal aid lawyers, including number of approvals and expenditure (including by proceeding type), please see: OIA123002(external link)
If you would like to contact us about the legal aid review, please email us at legalaidreview@justice.govt.nz