Fanfare as $9.5m courthouse opens

NATASHA MARTIN/The Timaru Herald

READY FOR BUSINESS: Minister for Courts Georgina te Heuheu officially opens Timaru's new courthouse.

Relevant offers

A push for the return of a resident judge to Timaru has been acknowledged at the opening of the city's new $9.5 million courthouse.

Yesterday Minister for Courts Georgina te Heuheu officially opened the building in front of invited guests and court staff, praising it as a "stunning marriage between the old and the new".

"The splendour of the original Timaru Courthouse, which was built in 1877, has not only been retained but has also been skilfully enhanced by the contemporary architecture," Mrs te Heuheu said.

The original 133-year-old building, which has an Historic Places Trust category II designation, has been strengthened, restored and, over a two-year period, incorporated into a larger building.

Mrs te Heuheu said the new courthouse had enhanced courtrooms, mediation rooms, custodial and interview rooms, and administrative and public areas which would serve the needs of a 21st century courthouse.

The project had come in under budget, she said.

The minister was joined by guest speakers Justice Fogarty – a former Timaru boy, who formally closed the old courtroom last year – and district court judge Phil Moran, who apologised for Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson's absence.

The chief district court judge is responsible for determining how and where judges sit.

In assessing the building's new or improved features, Judge Moran noted the two new modern courtrooms, judges' chambers, administrative areas for staff and public, a library, common room and courtyard for staff.

"What more could you want? Well, you want the judge."

He said that Judge Johnson "was favourably disposed" to the idea of a resident judge.

"Consistency and continuity is enhanced if you have a resident judge."

Justice Fogarty, representing the High Court, said the new courthouse would benefit the community.

"This building is a daily reminder the blocks of community, law and justice are at the heart of civilised society.

"It's a constant struggle for the judges and Ministry of Justice to reduce the backlog of cases awaiting hearing."

The two modern courtrooms would make it easier for High Court judges to conduct hearings without disturbing proceedings in the District Court, he said. Additionally, Environment Court appeals which went to the High Court and had been conducted out of town could come back to Timaru.

- © Fairfax NZ News