Judges’ secret book of perks made public
The majority of the country’s judges have escaped scrutiny after being excluded from a release of information about a swathe of taxpayer-funded perks.
After an almost year-long battle by the Sunday Star-Times to access details of judicial entitlements, those claimed by more than 70 senior and employment court judges were finally released by Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann yesterday.
The generous allowances include free air travel and hotels for spouses, limousines, expensive fountain pens and briefcases, and long sabbaticals. That’s on top of salaries of between $333,300 and $578,000, and one of the most generous pensions in the public service.
But not included in the publication were details of the perks enjoyed by 170 District Court judges, 11 Environment Court judges, 14 Māori Land Court judges, and 22 coroners.
Attorney-General Judith Collins said these were currently under review and would be released “in due course”. No explanation was given as to why they were left out.
The information release also revealed that Collins and her predecessor David Parker have quietly removed some of the more extravagant benefits, such as nearly $300 for school uniforms for the children of relocated judges, and cash to tip hotel porters.
The privileges awarded to senior judges (those sitting in the High, Supreme and Appeal courts) include a per diem of $240 while away from home overnight on official business.
But they can also claim an additional $96 a day if their spouse or partners joins them on the trip.
That doesn’t include extras such as laundry and dry cleaning expenses (after a week away), or for those appointed prior to 2022, a $2 portage tip on arrival and leaving hotels, and the hiring of a private “sitting room”.
Naturally, domestic travel costs on court business are covered. But air fares for accompanying partners are also paid.
And judicial couples are also gifted free flights for leisure – up to 5360km each, per year.
VIP Crown limousines and a driver are also available for judges working away from home.
Judges who transfer to a new court aren’t left out of pocket, with rent, removal costs and even legal and real estate fees for the sale and purchase of homes refunded.
Other sweeteners include $500 towards miscellaneous costs on appointment and new robes, and $500 for a pen and briefcase for those appointed prior to this year.
Senior judges also get generous sabbaticals – up to a year for each 10 years of ser
vice – which they can cash in early, and a lump sum or leave for each year of service on retiring.
The judiciary fought for nearly a year to keep their perks from being made public.
An Official Information Act request by the Star-Times last year was declined and is now the subject of an investigation by Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier.
The disclosure – made on the same day as the Remuneration Authority announced a pay hike for MPs – came after Collins met with Winkelmann earlier this year.
Crown Law and Winkelmann’s office were obstructive right up until the end, refusing to say when the information would be published, and not including the Star-Times on a press release detailing the release. It was finally sent 11 minutes after being disclosed to rival media outlets.
Collins wasn’t available for an interview but said in a statement: “The work is demanding, and the workload is heavy. We need to attract our best legal minds to the role and support judges properly once appointed.”
Winkelmann said the release was an “appropriate step”.