Timaru lawyer Hix to be a District Court judge
Long-serving Timaru lawyer Quentin Hix is about to take a seat as a District Court judge.
He has been appointed, alongside 20 other lawyers from around New Zealand, in a move the Government says will improve access to justice and boost diversity on the bench.
Ten of the new judges are Ma¯ori, eight Pa¯ keha¯ , one Ma¯ ori/Chinese and two Samoan.
Twelve of the new judges are women – the new judges include replacements for retirements and 10 new positions.
Hix, who is of Ma¯ ori descent, said he will be officially sworn in at a ceremony at the Arowhenua Marae on February 29 before starting work on March 2 at the Christchurch District Court, where he will be based.
Speaking from Australia, Hix said it had been a lengthy process to attain the position.
‘‘There are rules that you have had to have been a lawyer for more than seven years, you then put in an expression of interest.
‘‘I put in an expression of interest about four years ago. I’ve been through a few interviews over the years and been unsuccessful a number of times but I was successful on this occasion.’’
Hix said there was an active recruitment process for District Court judges in 2019.
‘‘It was signalled by the judiciary. It has been quite a process because of the sheer numbers or appointments.’’
Hix said he had always had an interest in the criminal justice system.
‘‘You have a range of people in the system and you try to make a difference as best as you can.’’
Hix said he had specific concerns about the over-representation of Ma¯ ori in the justice system.
‘‘Over 50 per cent of the prison population in New Zealand is Ma¯ ori.
‘‘I suppose it’s bringing that closer connection to people who come before the court,’’ Hix said of his appointment.
‘‘Someone who can relate to you a bit better and being able to make a connection.’’
‘‘I suppose it’s bringing that closer connection to people who come before the court. Someone who can relate to you a bit better and being able to make a connection.’’ Quentin Hix
Hix was admitted to the bar in 1989. ‘‘I had a year out in 1991 studying commerce and I was in Timaru from 1992 onwards.’’
Hix said he had been working alongside lawyers Chris Jones, Tim Jackson and Nina Mackay at Quentin Hix Legal, in Timaru, as they prepare to take over the business, pending his departure.
‘‘I’m excited about the opportunity to make a difference if I can.’’
Attorney-General David Parker said the new judges ‘‘will help manage the increasing workload in the District Court, improve access to justice and reduce the toll that long delays have on those accessing the courts’’.
‘‘It will also mean victims of crime and their families will be able to have their day in court sooner.’’
‘‘It’s pleasing to see high quality appointees coming forward from diverse backgrounds. It is important the judiciary reflects the make-up of the community it serves.’’
The 2019 Budget allocated $54 million over four years to cover the cost of the new positions. That funding also covered the cost of the additional staff needed to ensure the judges can operate effectively.
Once the new judges are sworn in, the number of District Court judges will increase from the current 155 to 172.
The legislative cap on the number of District Court judges was increased last year from 160 to 182 to allow for the new appointments and to leave room for 10 additional appointments.