District Courts of New Zealand

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Wellington District Court Room One

The District Courts of New Zealand (Māori: Ngā Kōti ā Rōhe) are low-level trial courts in New Zealand. The District Courts can hear civil claims up to $200,000 ($500,000 if recovery of land is claimed) and criminal cases involving relatively minor offences.

The District Courts were known as the Magistrates' Courts of New Zealand until 1980. There are 66 District Courts throughout New Zealand and the vast majority of both civil and criminal actions in New Zealand are commenced in a District Court. The District Courts are governed by the District Courts Act 1947.

The head of the Districts Court is the Chief District Court Judge. Russell Johnson has been the Chief District Court Judge since 2005.