High Court sentences Uepa Tumaialu to four years and ten months’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of Ivan Fifita. sen.nz/8j9p1w
Courts of New Zealand
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Official account. Posting judgments of public interest, daily lists, speeches by judges, reports from the courts.
High Court sentences Lasalosi Vaitohi to life imprisonment with an MPI of 17 years for the murder of Peter Rasmussen in targeted gang killing intended for victim’s grandson. sen.nz/55vgy2
High Court sentences Toni-Ashley Crawford to life imprisonment with an MPI of 10 years for the murder of Teri Rhind in a hit and run. sen.nz/f5v68x
HC delivers sentence in R v Hannon McGinn and Howe following convictions for murder and arson: sen.nz/1f4nt1
NZSC to release judgment in Rimmer v Wilton [2026] NZSC 122 at 10 am on 4 September 2026: sen.nz/k8drmj
NZSC to release judgment in Peka v Te Hei [2026] NZSC 121 at 10 am on 4 September 2026: sen.nz/k8drmj
Justice Edward Crook was sworn in as a Judge of Te Kōti Matua – High Court at the Auckland High Court on Friday 28 August. The ceremony was presided over by the Chief Justice. Justice Crook will sit in Auckland. sen.nz/3wbpb5
The Chief Justice welcomes the Attorney-General’s announcement today of the appointment of Auckland Barrister Sarah Wroe as an Associate Judge of the High Court. sen.nz/ndz9nx
High Court sentences defendant to life imprisonment for June 2025 murder of former partner. sen.nz/cvslxk
High Court sentencing of Hao Feng for the manslaughter of his partner by strangulation. sen.nz/00dxg2
Stuart Manhire sentenced to preventative detention with an MPI of 10 years' imprisonment for extensive sexual offending against four victims, including a young person under 16. sen.nz/tnds21
The Chief Justice is pleased to announce the appointments of Justice Cheryl Gwyn and Justice Peter Churchman as Acting Judges of the High Court. sen.nz/72x2g7
Reasons for verdicts following trial of two retired police officers each facing one charge of wilfully attempting to obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice. sen.nz/2zydhg
High Court releases sentencing decision for Kaixiao Liu and Lanyue Xiao in respect of offending connected with the death of Shulai Wang. sen.nz/vsmf1l
Murder sentencing; s 104 engaged due to post-mortem desecration of the body. HELD: 17 year minimum period of imprisonment not manifestly unjust; sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 year minimum period of imprisonment. sen.nz/l92vjx
Sentence of five years and one month imprisonment for attempted murder. Brutal offending but diminished culpability. sen.nz/zx19vy
High Court sentence appeal for dangerous driving causing death. On appeal, a 47.5 per cent allowance for personal mitigating factors was allowed exceeding the statutory cap, as refusing to do so would have resulted in manifest injustice. sen.nz/82p3ml
Verdicts following trial of two retired police officers each facing one charge of wilfully attempting to obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice. sen.nz/vry4c2
Courts of New Zealand has today published updated Guidelines for Courtroom Conduct for Counsel. These Guidelines replace the Etiquette Guidelines for Counsel in Court that were issued in 2009, and set the expected standards of courtroom behaviour for the legal profession. sen.nz/xghb6t
High Court releases judgment in Rascals International Ltd v Taylor. The plaintiffs’ claim against the defendants was dismissed. The counterclaim was also dismissed. sen.nz/kty13q
The High Court has granted applications to place Byerley Park Ltd and Karaka Estate Ltd, both part of the Nakhle group, into liquidation with effect from 3.00 pm. sen.nz/sf368m
(1/2) Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann has today released her 2025 Annual Report. The report provides information about judges, about the role and responsibilities of the judicial branch of government, and about the work of the courts in 2025. sen.nz/0jhm43
Case history synopsis Smith v Attorney-General Hearing of the Supreme Court at the Auckland High Court Monday 17 August – Wednesday 19 August 2026 sen.nz/k3xlbc
(1/2) High Court issues declaration that prohibition on public display of gang insignia is inconsistent with right to freedom of expression under s14 of New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Limitation on right had not been justified under s5; rationally connected to objective of Act but disproportionate.
Te Kura Kaiwhakawā has today published updates to the Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book, which can be found in the “update history" of the bench book. To view the Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book, see: sen.nz/7d7ltv
NZSC releases judgment in Kea Investments Ltd v Wikeley [2026] NZSC 97, providing reasons for reinstatement of anti-suit and anti-enforcement injunctions to arrest fraud: sen.nz/gtv5ny
NZSC to release judgment in Kea Investments Ltd v Wikeley [2026] NZSC 97 at 10.00 am on 31 July 2026: sen.nz/0c5nrf
