Chief Justice of New Zealand

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The Chief Justice of New Zealand (in Māori: Te Kaiwhakawā Tumuaki o Aotearoa) is the head of the New Zealand judiciary, and presides over the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Before the establishment of the latter court in 2004 the Chief Justice was the presiding judge in the High Court of New Zealand and was also ex officio a member of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. The office is established by the Judicature Act 1908.

The Chief Justice is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.^[1]

The Chief Justice also acts in place of the Governor-General of New Zealand if one has not been appointed or the appointee is unable to perform his or her duties. When acting in place of the Governor-General, the Chief Justice is known as the Administrator of the Government.

Chief Justices

• Hon. Sir William Martin (1841–1857)
• Hon. Sir George Arney (1858–1875)
• Hon. Sir James Prendergast GCMG (1875–1899)
• Rt Hon. Sir Robert Stout GCMG (1899–1926)
• Hon. Sir Charles Skerrett KCMG KC (1926–1929)
• Rt Hon. Sir Michael Myers GCMG KC (1929–1946)
• Rt Hon. Sir Humphrey O'Leary KCMG KC (1946–1953)
• Rt Hon. Sir Harold Barrowclough KCMG CB DSO MC ED (17 November 1953–1966)
• Rt Hon. Sir Richard Wild GBE KCMG QC (18 January 1966–January 1978)
• Rt Hon. Sir Ronald Davison GBE CMG QC (3 February 1978 – 4 February 1989)
• Rt Hon. Sir Thomas Eichelbaum GBE QC (6 February 1989 – 16 May 1999)
• Rt Hon. Dame Sian Elias GNZM PC QC(from 17 May 1999)

Chief Justice of New Zealand William Martin George Arney James Prendergast Robert Stout Charles Skerrett Michael Myers Humphrey O'Leary Harold Barrowclough Richard Wild Ronald Davison Thomas Eichelbaum Sian Elias

References

External links

• Ministry of Justice - The Chief Justice
• Administrators of the Government