Four New District Court Judges Appointed Across New Zealand

Attorney-General Chris Bishop said these appointments bring a mix of extensive legal experience and practical knowledge to the District Court.

Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has announced the appointment of four new District Court judges who will take up roles in Dunedin, Timaru, and Auckland later this year. The appointments aim to fill existing vacancies and bring a mix of experience in family, criminal, and commercial law to the bench.

Maurice John Casey will be based at Timaru District Court and is scheduled to be sworn in on 30 July 2026. He has over 25 years of experience in family law, covering childcare disputes, relationship property matters, mental health and elder welfare law, and Hague Convention proceedings. Mr Casey has also served as Lawyer for Child and Lawyer to assist the Court. After leaving partnership at Napier law firm Carlie Dowling in January 2024, he now practises as a barrister sole, focusing on family law and mediation.

Bryony Ann Millar will take up her post at Dunedin District Court, being sworn in on 13 July 2026. She has practised as a barrister sole since 2007 in Blenheim, managing a diverse portfolio including family, relationship property, youth advocacy, and criminal matters. Ms Millar has also been involved with Oranga Tamariki care panels and served as the first woman President of the Marlborough Branch of the NZ Law Society.

Criminal and Commercial Law Expertise Strengthen Auckland Bench

Tiffany Mary Cooper, KC will join the Auckland District Court and is scheduled to be sworn in on 29 July 2026. Ms Cooper has a background in commercial and civil law and has been practising as a criminal defence litigator since 2004. She specialises in sexual assault cases but also handles drug, homicide, and appeal matters. She was appointed as a Kings Counsel in 2022.

Erin Lee Woolley, also based at Auckland District Court, will be sworn in on 6 October 2026. A former coroner and criminal prosecutor, she has experience advising public and private sector organisations on regulatory compliance and worked in the United Kingdom advising multinational companies on regulatory issues.

Strengthening Judicial Capacity Across the Country

Attorney-General Chris Bishop said these appointments bring a mix of extensive legal experience and practical knowledge to the District Court. Their expertise in family, criminal, and commercial law is expected to enhance the capacity of the courts and support timely, fair, and informed decision-making for communities in Dunedin, Timaru, and Auckland.