Finding a JP

A "Justice of the Peace" is effectively a 'trusted' person in New Zealand, who is "responsible and known to be of good character", possesses "integrity" and has "an adequate education and to be known by the community" (Nabi, 2023). A JP can witness signatures on official documents, take declarations, and witness the swearing of affidavits or affirming affirmations (Ministry of Justice, 2025b) Some JPs can also serve as officers of the court in "jurisdiction[s] determined by statute, including minor offences and some traffic cases; issue of remands and bail; hearing of undefended cases; [and] presiding over defended trials" (Ministry of Justice, 2025b).

So in New Zealand, when we need signatures witnessed, documents certified, declarations made; we need a JP. 

JPs need to be computer/digitally literate, have good written and spoken English, and be well-regarded by their "community as a person of good sense, character and integrity" (CAB, 2022). So there should be no undisclosed/undischarged criminal convictions or bankruptcies (Ministry of Justice, 2025a). Further, JPs need to "have a genuine desire to serve [their] community and an adequate standard of education; be able to listen, understand and respond positively to others; be accurate and able to follow specific instructions; show initiative when given an unusual requests" (CAB, 2022).

Applicants need to be New Zealand citizens or residents, and on the electoral roll, who are willing to undertake judicial duties. People can apply to become JPs, but they have to be approved by their MP (and there must be need for more JPs in their area), or by the Associate Minister of Justice (CAB, 2022; Justice of the Peace, 2024a; Nabi, 2023). JP applicants fill in a nomination form, have an interview, then get 'provisional approval' by the Associate Minister of Justice. THEN there is training (both face-to-face and online) where the roles, responsibilities, and rights are checked via an online test. After that, the provisional JP's application has to be signed off by the Governor General, the now JP gets sworn in by a local District Court Judge (Justice of the Peace, 2025a). The process is quite involved, with lots of checks. A newly appointed JP can't undertake any duties until that last step of being sworn in by a District Court judge.

What is even better is that JPs don't/cannot charge for their services. But that also means that we need to ensure that we don't waste their time, make our requirements as convenient for them as possible, be organised and very prepared, and maybe give them a little koha as a thank you. Some limes from our tree, perhaps. A takeaway coffee. Some home baking. Some flowers.

And, whenever we need a JP, all we need to do is to go to this website: https://justiceofthepeace.org.nz/ (Justice of the Peace, 2025c) and enter our postcode, to get a list of JPs in our locale. 

Too easy!

Sam

References:

CAB. (2022, June 20). How does somebody become a Justice of the Peace?. Citizen's Advice Bureau. https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001114

Justice of the Peace. (2025a). Becoming a JP. Royal Federation of NZ Justices’ Associations | Te Kāhui Pou Whakatau Ture o Aotearoa. https://justiceofthepeace.org.nz/Page/Landing/Becoming-a-JP

Ministry of Justice. (2025b). Justice of the Peace. https://www.justice.govt.nz/about/lawyers-and-service-providers/service-providers/justice-of-the-peace/

Justice of the Peace. (2025c). Welcome to the Royal Federation of NZ Justices' Associations - Quick Find. Royal Federation of NZ Justices’ Associations | Te Kāhui Pou Whakatau Ture o Aotearoa. https://justiceofthepeace.org.nz/

Nabi, Z. (2023, May 17). Difference Between JP and Notary Public in New Zealand. Legal Vision. https://legalvision.co.nz/commercial-contracts/difference-between-justice-of-the-peace-and-notary-public/