Supreme Court case information
Listed below are the substantive Supreme Court cases for the year along with appeals still to be determined or cases awaiting hearing.
Information giving an overview of the case is included along with media releases and links to judgments being appealed when available.
All 2024 - 2014 Supreme Court cases dismissed or deemed to be dismissed where a notice of abandonment was received can be found here.
Transcripts for cases heard before the Supreme Court are included provided they are not suppressed. Transcripts from pre-trial hearings are not published until the final disposition of trial. These are unedited transcripts and they are not a formal record of the Court’s proceedings. The Ministry of Justice does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any material and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use.
19 June 2026
Case information summary (as at 19 June 2026) – Cases where leave granted (PDF, 89 KB)
Case information summary (as at 19 June 2026) – Cases where leave to appeal decision not yet made (PDF, 126 KB)
All years
Case name
Iain McLennan and Boris Van Delden as Liquidators for Neil Timber Limited (In Liquidation) v Boris Livaja, Iwona Grazyna Kotowska-Livaja and Orion Trustee No.1 Limited
Case number
SC 112/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing the appellant’s appeal in relation to an application that a caveat lodged against a residential property should not lapse.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicants are to pay costs of $2,500 to the respondents. 1 February 2018
B The applicants are to pay costs of $2,500 to the respondents. 1 February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
Rapata (Robert) LEEF as representative of Ngati Taka v Colin BIDOIS as representative of Pirirakau, AND Jason AKE, Te Pio KAWE, Lance WAAKA, Robert URWIN, Kimiora RAWIRI, Philip HIKAIRO, Stephanie TAIAPA and Mikere WAIRUA as Trustees of Nga Hapu O Ngat
Case number
SC 113/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in holding that the arbitration agreement entered into by Ngāti Taka and Pirirakau replaced an earlier arbitration process agreed among the hapū of Ngāti Ranginui – Whether the Court of Appeal correctly interpreted the earlier agreement – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in holding that the deed of settlement entered into between representatives of all hapū of Ngāti Ranginui and the Crown is final and binding as between Ngāti Taka and Pirirakau.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicant is to pay to the first respondent costs of $2,500
21 December 2017
B The applicant is to pay to the first respondent costs of $2,500
21 December 2017
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
Desmond James Albert Conway v Mercedes-Benz Financial Services New Zealand Limited
Case number
SC 119/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in its interpretation and application of the Personal Property Securities Act 1999 and the Property Law Act 2007 – Whether the applicant was mortgagor of vehicles repossessed by the respondent.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicant must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
23 February 2018
B The applicant must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
23 February 2018
High Court decision
High Court decision
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
W V The Family Court at North Shore and The Chief Executive o the Ministry of Vulnerable Children
Case number
SC 120/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Court of Appeal (Civil) Rules 2005 – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in declining an application for extension of time.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the second respondent.
8th February 2018
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the second respondent.
8th February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Court of Appeal decision
Case name
Earl Raymond Hagaman v Andrew James Little
Case number
SC 121/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing the appeal on the basis that the proceeding abates with the death of Mr Hagaman.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The personal representatives of Mr Hagaman must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
13 February 2018
B The personal representatives of Mr Hagaman must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
13 February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Judgment appealed from
Case name
Tui'imalo Matamu, Talaoali'I Naseri, Malielegaoi Aumua, Saeni Pita and Tofia Tofa v Va'aimalu Si'itia, Mary McEwing and Salapo Rapiti Tuia
Case number
SC 124/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in concluding that resolutions excluding a group of parishioners from further use of parish facilities were validly passed.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the respondents.
14 February 2018
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the respondents.
14 February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Judgment appealed from
Case name
Steven Philip Mason and Katharine Mary Mason v Andrew Hamilton Magee and Sharon Lee Magee
Case number
SC 128/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Contractual Remedies Act 1979, s 6 – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in finding that there was no misrepresentation.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicants are to pay the respondents costs of $2,500.
9th February 2018
B The applicants are to pay the respondents costs of $2,500.
9th February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
MASON v MAGEE [2018] NZSC 11 [9 February 2018] (PDF, 215 KB)
Court of Appeal decision
Case name
Guirong Wen v Kok Ann Ngoi and Sunshine Estate Limited
Case number
SC 133/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Contract Law – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in finding a binding contract was formed.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the respondents.
5 March 2018
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the respondents.
5 March 2018
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
GUIRONG WEN v KOK ANN NGOI [2018] NZSC 18 [5 March 2018] (PDF, 105 KB)
Case name
Manchester Securities Limited v Body Corporate 172108
Case number
SC 134/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing the appeal from a decision of the High Court varying a remediation scheme settled under s 48 of the Unit Titles Act 1972 and ordering the applicant to make an interim payment to the Body Corporate.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed. B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the respondent. 14 March 2018
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust v Attorney General , Ngā ti Paoa Iwi Trust and Marutūāhu Rōpū Ltd
Case number
SC 135/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether Court of Appeal erred in upholding the High Court’s decision to strike out the applicant’s claim for judicial review – Whether decisions made by the Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations regarding land proposed to be applied to Treaty of Waitangi settlements are reviewable.
Result
A Leave to appeal is granted (Ngᾱti Whᾱtua Ōrᾱkei Trust v Attorney General [2017] NZCA 554).
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal should have allowed the applicant’s appeal to that Court.
23 March 2018
________________________________
A The appeal is allowed in part. The claim is reinstated apart from paragraphs (e) and (f) of the declaratory relief sought. The proceeding is remitted to the High Court for hearing.
B The first and third respondents must pay the appellant one set of costs of $25,000 plus usual disbursements. We allow for second counsel.
C The costs orders in the High Court and Court of Appeal are set aside. If costs in those Courts cannot be agreed they should be set by the Court of Appeal and High Court respectively in light of this judgment.
17 September 2018
B The approved question is whether the Court of Appeal should have allowed the applicant’s appeal to that Court.
23 March 2018
________________________________
A The appeal is allowed in part. The claim is reinstated apart from paragraphs (e) and (f) of the declaratory relief sought. The proceeding is remitted to the High Court for hearing.
B The first and third respondents must pay the appellant one set of costs of $25,000 plus usual disbursements. We allow for second counsel.
C The costs orders in the High Court and Court of Appeal are set aside. If costs in those Courts cannot be agreed they should be set by the Court of Appeal and High Court respectively in light of this judgment.
17 September 2018
Transcripts
- Hearing date 14 - 15 May 2018 (PDF, 1 MB)
Media Releases
- MR [2018] NZSC 84 (PDF, 263 KB)
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Substantive judgment
Leave judgment - leave granted
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