Appendix 5: Judges and judicial officers who retired, resigned or were elevated during 2024

Court of Appeal | Te Kōti Pīra

President of the Court of Appeal | Te Tumuaki o Te Kōti Pīra
The Honourable Justice Mark Cooper
Ngāti Māhanga
Retired on 20 November 2024

Judges of the Court of Appeal | Ngā Kaiwhakawā Mātāmua o Te Kōti Pīra
In order of seniority

The Honourable Justice Brendan Brown
Retired on 12 January 2024

The Honourable Justice Murray Gilbert
Retired on 31 May 2024

The Honourable Justice David Collins
Retired on 18 March 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Judge of the Court of Appeal effective 19 March 2024)

High Court | Te Kōti Matua

Judges of the High Court | Ngā Kaiwhakawā Mātāmua o Te Kōti Matua
In order of seniority, grouped by location

Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau

The Honourable Justice Mark Woolford
Retired on 30 April 2024

The Honourable Justice Neil Campbell
Appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal effective 21 November 2024

Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara

The Honourable Justice Rebecca Ellis
Appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal effective 15 January 2024

The Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer
Appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal effective 1 June 2024

The Honourable Justice Francis Cooke
Appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal effective 19 March 2024

Associate Judges of the High Court | Ngā Kaiwhakawā Tuarua o Te Kōti Matua
In order of seniority, grouped by location 

Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau

Associate Judge Dani Gardiner
Appointed as a Judge of the High Court effective 21 November 2024

District Court | Te Kōti-ā-Rohe

Judges of the District Court | Ngā Kaiwhakawā o Te Kōti-ā-Rohe

In alphabetical order, grouped by location

Whangārei | Whangārei-terenga-parāoa

Judge Deidre Orchard
Retired on 7 April 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Warranted Judge effective 8 April 2024)
General/Jury

North Shore | Ōkahukura

Judge Simon Maude
Retired on 6 March 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Warranted Judge effective 7 March 2024)
General/Family

Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau

Judge Allison Sinclair
Retired on 29 March 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Warranted Judge effective 30 March 2024)
General/Jury/Civil

Manukau

Judge Karen Grau
Appointed as a Judge of the High Court effective 29 January 2024
General/Jury

Christchurch | Ōtautahi

Judge Mark Callaghan
Retired on 21 November 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Warranted Judge effective 22 November 2024
General/Jury/Civil

Invercargill | Waihōpai

Judge Bernadette Farnan
Died on 21 March 2023
General/Jury/Family/Youth

Other locations | Ngā wāhi kē

Judge Philip Connell
Chair, Alcohol Regulatory Licencing Authority| Te Mana Waeture Take Waipiro
Retired on 14 August 2024
General/Jury/Youth

Community Magistrates | Ngā Kaiwhakawā-ā-Hapori

In alphabetical order, grouped by location

Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau

Community Magistrate Janet Holmes
Retired on 29 September 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Warranted Community Magistrate effective 30 September 2024)

North Shore | Ōkahukura

Community Magistrate Philippa King
Retired on 31 December 2024

Hamilton | Kirikiriroa

Community Magistrate Kaye Davies
Retired on 21 May 2024
(Appointed as an Acting Warranted Community Magistrate effective 22 May 2024)

Māori Land Court | Te Kooti Whenua Māori & Māori Appellate Court | Te Kooti Pīra Māori

Judges of the Māori Land Court & Māori Appellate Court | Ngā Kaiwhakawā o Te Kooti Whenua Māori me Te Kooti Pīra Māori

Deputy Chief Judge Craig Coxhead
Ngāti Mākino, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maru
Waiariki District – Based in Rotorua
Appointed as Deputy Chief Judge effective 27 May 2024

Environment Court | Te Kōti Taiao

Judges of the Environment Court | Ngā Kaiwhakawā o Te Kōti Taiao
(In order of seniority)

Judge Jane Borthwick
Based in Christchurch
(Retired on 15 May 2024)
Jury Warranted

Alternate Judges of the Environment Court | Ngā Kaiwhakawā Whakakapi o Te Kōti Taiao

Alternate Judge Geoff Rea
District Court Judge Based in Napier
(Retired on 15 September 2024)
Jury Warranted

Deputy Environment Commissioners | Ngā Kaikōmihana Taiao

Deputy Commissioner Ross Dunlop
Based in Auckland
Retired on 6 April 2024

Coroners Court | Te Kōti Kaitirotiro Matewhawhati

Coroners | Ngā Kaitirotiro Matewhawhati

In alphabetical order, grouped by location

Coroner Sue Johnson
Retired on 31 September 2024