Appointment process begins

Wellington: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has begun the process of appointing a new Chief Justice to replace Dame Sian Elias, who has held the role for almost 20 years.

Under the Senior Courts Act, the Governor-General appoints the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Ms Ardern had laid out the process of the appointment, as it was important for that process to be transparent, she said.