District Court Judge Appointed

Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop announced the appointment of Vanessa Curac as a District Court Judge, marking her transition from legal practice to the judiciary. The role will see her based at the Whangarei District Court, where she will preside over cases starting from her swearing-in date. Her appointment follows a career spanning 25 years, including work in Youth, Family, and Criminal Courts across South Auckland. The decision reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening judicial expertise in regional courts.

Vanessa Curac began her legal career as a solicitor for Oranga Tamariki, later becoming a barrister in 2004. Her practice has consistently focused on representing vulnerable groups, including young people in the Youth Court and children in the Family Court. She also served as a panel lawyer for survivors in the Abuse in State Care Inquiry from 2020 to 2024, demonstrating a deep engagement with social justice issues. These experiences have prepared her for the responsibilities of a District Court Judge.

Ms Curac’s appointment includes a leadership role as the secretary of the South Auckland Bar Association for four years, highlighting her standing within the legal community. She is currently based at Friendship Chambers in Manukau, where she has built a reputation for advocacy in cases involving young adults in the District Courts. Her swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 30 November 2026 in Manukau, where she will take up her new position. The move underscores the judiciary’s focus on regional representation.

The Attorney-General’s office confirmed that Judge Curac’s appointment aligns with the government’s judicial recruitment priorities. Her swearing-in at the Manukau location ensures continuity in legal services for communities in Northland. The appointment process followed standard judicial selection procedures, with no further details on additional appointees disclosed at this time.