Waikato courts close early for staff union meeting

Courts in Waikato are closing early while staff attend a paid union meeting, meaning only top priority services will continue.

Waikato Justice Service Area Courts – in Hamilton, Thames, Huntly, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu and Te Kūiti – will close at 2pm on Friday, an email to media said.

Courts and tribunals across the country would close to allow PSA members to discuss “progress in the current collective bargaining”, the Ministry of Justice, Chief Justice and Heads of Bench agreed.

Essential “priority” services would still continue, such as arrests and custody matters, the note said.

Defended fixtures, judge-alone trials and jury trials, including jury deliberation, can’t continue after 2pm on Friday.

There will be a judge in one courtroom in Hamilton for priority criminal matters, from 2.15pm. They would be adjourned on a case by case basis – likely to the following Monday or to another suitable date.

Customer service desks at district and satellite courts will be closed from 2pm, but there would be signs on courthouse doors with instructions regarding priority filing or contact.