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.
4 September 2026
Case information summary (as at 4 September 2026) – Cases where leave granted (PDF, 116 KB)
Case information summary (as at 4 September 2026) – Cases where leave to appeal decision not yet made (PDF, 132 KB)
All years
Case name
Peter Miles Davies v New Zealand Police
Case number
SC 83/2007
Summary
Criminal – appeal against Court of Appeal’s decision to confirm award of reparation to a victim for loss of earnings to the extent (20%) it is not compensable under the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001 (IPRC Act) – whether sentences of reparation can be characterised as proceedings for damages brought by the victim independently of the IPRC Act (prohibited by s 317(1) of that Act) – whether s 32(5) Sentencing Act 2002 prohibits the ‘topping-up’ of IPRC Act entitlements by sentences of reparation.[2007] NZCA 484 CA 101/07 2 November 2007
Result
Application for leave to appeal granted.
15 February 2008
__________________________
Appeal allowed. Sentence of reparation is set aside and in substitution a sentence of reparation of $8,945 is imposed. Question of costs reserved.
25 May 2009
15 February 2008
__________________________
Appeal allowed. Sentence of reparation is set aside and in substitution a sentence of reparation of $8,945 is imposed. Question of costs reserved.
25 May 2009
Media Releases
- sc 83 2007 davies v new zealand police press release (PDF, 87 KB)
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment
DAVIES v NEW ZEALAND POLICE SC 83/2007 [25 May 2009] (PDF, 107 KB)
Substantive judgment /Media release
Transcript
Judgment appealed from
Case name
Alan Ivo Greer v The Queen
Case number
SC 89/2007
Summary
Criminal appeal – rehearing of appeal against conviction for driving while disqualified, pursuant to R v Smith [2003] NZLR 617 – whether Court of Appeal erred in not allowing appeal against conviction - whether the applicant was prevented from bringing a defence because photographic and transcript evidence had been destroyed or not disclosed - whether the Court of Appeal gave proper consideration to evidence – whether applicant was given necessary access to Court records – whether there was a miscarriage of justice. [2007] NZCA 517 CA 161/06 20 November 2007
Result
Application for leave to appeal dismissed.
22 May 2008
22 May 2008
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
GREER v R SC 89/2007 [22 May 2008] (PDF, 14 KB)
Judgment appealed from
Case name
Greenpeace New Zealand Incorporated v Genesis Power Limited
Case number
SC 94/2007
Summary
Summary Civil – interpretation of ss 70A and 104E of the Resource Management Act 1991 – under those sections, consent authorities are prohibited from having regard to the effects of greenhouse gas discharges on climate change, except to the extent that the use and development of renewable energy enables a reduction in the discharge into air of greenhouse gases, either in absolute terms or relative to non-renewable energy – whether Court of Appeal was wrong to hold that the exception only applies to renewable energy applications – whether the Court of Appeal erred in its decision to exercise its jurisdiction to grant declaratory relief.[2007] NZCA 569 CA 372/07 11 December 2007
Result
Application for leave to appeal granted.
11 February 2008
_________________
Appeal dismissed.
19 December 2008
11 February 2008
_________________
Appeal dismissed.
19 December 2008
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment / Media release
Judgment appealed from
Genesis Power Ltd v Greenpeace New Zealand Inc [2007] NZCA 569 (11 December 2007)
Transcription
Hearing date : 28 May 2008
Elias CJ, Blanchard, Tipping, McGrath, Wilson JJ
Elias CJ, Blanchard, Tipping, McGrath, Wilson JJ
Case name
Ross Alexander Williams v The Queen
Case number
SC 1/2006
Summary
Criminal law - appeal against conviction for selling and cultivation of cannabis- whether Court of Appeal erred in refusing to admit new evidence -whether Court of Appeal erred in finding the new evidence was not fresh- failure of counsel on appeal to follow instructions to call trial counsel to give evidence relating to preparation for trial misconduct of trial counsel - failure of counsel on appeal to argue that convictions lack evidentiary basis - whether trial Judge erred in admitting evidence obtained via an unlawful search. CA 63/05 9 December 2005.
Result
Leave to appeal dismissed.
24 May 2006
24 May 2006
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
WILLIAMS V R SC 1/2006 [24 May 2006] (PDF, 23 KB)
Case name
Ellerslie Park Holdings Limited v The Attorney-General
Case number
SC 3/2006
Summary
Civil - appeal against judgment of Court of Appeal striking out all causes of action against A-G - "leaky building syndrome"; - strike out principles as applied to public law negligence contexts - approach to imposition of a duty of care - whether there is a tenable cause of action that the respondent owed a duty of care to the appellant not to approve untreated kiln-dried timber for use in framing - whether the Court of Appeal erred in striking out all causes of action against the A-G. CA 30/05 30 November 2005
Result
Leave to appeal refused. 20 June 2006
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Transcript
Case name
Joseph Junior Sipa v The Queen
Case number
SC 4/2006
Summary
Criminal law - appeal from Court of Appeal decision on Solicitor-General appeal against sentence for injuring with intent to injure - whether Court of Appeal erred in allowing appeals by Solicitor-General and substituting a sentence of three and a half years' imprisonment - approach when accused relies on sentencing indication given to co-offender - appellant entered guilty plea on the basis of sentencing indication given to his co-offender (his de facto partner) - whether the Court of Appeal should have remitted the case to the District Court for re-sentencing in light of its decision in R v Edwards . CA 390/05 7 December 2005
Result
Leave to Appeal granted.
28 March 2006
____________________________
Appeal dismissed.
20 July 2006
28 March 2006
____________________________
Appeal dismissed.
20 July 2006
Leave judgment - leave granted
SIPA And Anor V R SC 4/2006 [28 March 2006] (PDF, 14 KB)
Judgment appealed from
Substantive judgment
Transcript
Case name
Taunoa and Others v Attorney-General and Another
Case number
SC 6/2006
Summary
Civil - prisoners claims for compensation for mistreatment by the Department of Corrections - whether Department breached the First, Second and Fourth appellants' rights not to be subjected to cruel, degrading, or disproportionately severe treatment or punishment under New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (" NZBORA"), s 9 - whether Department breached the appellants' right to natural justice under NZBORA, s 27(1) - whether the Department breached the appellants' equivalent rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ("ICCPR") and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ("CAT") - whether Attorney-General's failure to hold a prompt and impartial investigation of the complaints breached NZBORA, s 9 or CAT or ICCPR - whether Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners 1955 form part of customary international law - whether Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act 2005 is inconsistent with NZBORA ss 9, 23(5), 27(1); CAT arts 2, 14, 16; ICCPR arts 10(1), 14, 26 - whether Victims' Special Claims Tribunal is independent and impartial or breaches the principles of separation of powers and equality before the law. CA 82/04 8 December 2005
Result
Leave to Appeal granted.
12 April 2006
_________________________
The appeals are dismissed.
The cross-appeals are allowed to the following extent:
1. The damages awarded to Mr Taunoa are reduced to $35,000.
2. The damages awarded to Mr Robinson are reduced to $20,000.
3. The damages awarded to Mr Kidman are reduced to $4,000.
The cross-appeal in relation to Mr Gunbie is dismissed.
Costs are reserved.
31 August 2007
Leave judgment - leave granted
Transcript
Substantive judgment / Media release
Judgment appealed from
Case name
Alan John Shirley v Wairarapa District Health Board
Case number
SC 10/2006
Summary
Civil - costs - defendant in negligence proceedings persuaded plaintiff to join second defendant - plaintiff discontinued proceedings against first defendant after accepting settlement offer - second defendant successfully defended claim in full hearing - whether second defendant entitled to costs against first defendant. CA 43/05 7 December 2005
Result
Leave to Appeal granted.
21 March 2006
_______________________________
Appeal dismissed. Costs to respondent $15,000 plus disbursements.
23 August 2006
21 March 2006
_______________________________
Appeal dismissed. Costs to respondent $15,000 plus disbursements.
23 August 2006
Leave judgment - leave granted
Judgment appealed from
Transcript
Leave judgment - leave granted
Substantive judgment / Media release
Case name
AMP v MacAlister Todd
Case number
SC 13/2006
Summary
Civil – insurance – solicitor trustee negligently failed to recognise that GST was payable on sale of trust assets – whether solicitor’ s firm entitled to indemnity from insurer – whether Court of Appeal failed to address a principal ground of appeal – whether claim against firm arose “from a trading loss or trading liability incurred by a business managed by or carried on by the insured” – whether claim against own firm by solicitor in capacity as trustee is a claim “made against” the firm – whether causation between solicitor’s negligence and loss – which party has onus to show causation – whether evidential basis to find that trustees would have secured indemnity from trust funds had solicitor not been negligent CA 108/05 15 December 2005
Result
Application for leave to appeal granted.
4 July 2006
_________________________
Appeal allowed, Judgment entered for the appellant on the respondents claim. No award of costs.
8 December 2006
4 July 2006
_________________________
Appeal allowed, Judgment entered for the appellant on the respondents claim. No award of costs.
8 December 2006
Substantive judgment
Leave judgment - leave granted
Judgment appealed from
Leave judgment - leave granted
Transcript
Hearing date : 20 0ctober 2006
Case name
Timothy Holden Tipple v The Queen
Case number
SC 19/2006
Summary
Criminal – appeal against conviction and sentence for dealing with a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety of others – Arms Act 1983, s 53(3) – whether purposive approach should be taken to interpretation of criminal offences – meaning of “reckless disregard” – whether recklessness has objective component – whether “deals with a firearm” includes supervising third party use of the firearm – admissibility of evidence obtained by police prior to cautioning – whether verdict unreasonable or not supported by the evidence – allegations of bad faith or bias against police and District Court Judge – consequences of amending indictment mid-trial – effect of facts proved at trial on sentencing – Sentencing Act 2002, s 24(1) – whether entitled to discharge without conviction – Sentencing Act 2002, s 106 CA 217/05 22 December 2005
Result
Leave to Appeal dismissed.
11 April 2006
11 April 2006
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
TIPPLE v R SC 19/2006 [11 April 2006] (PDF, 17 KB)
Page 27 of 33