The below is from the president's report in the 2024 AGM report presented at the AGM on 29 April 2024.
This is my first president’s report. At the outset, I wish to thank those who have made JANZ possible. Gerard Winter had the vision to make this possible. He is stepping back from his role in this organisation. Without his enthusiasm and work it would not have happened. I salute his contribution. Along with him, I acknowledge Jeff Smith and Claire Ryan. They also have helped make this organisation a reality. These three are stepping aside as executive members. I thank them for their dedication and hard work.
Next, I want to acknowledge Lifetime. They are responsible for the judicial insurance scheme and organise the judicial superannuation scheme. They have sponsored JANZ, making it possible for JANZ to function. We cannot thank them enough for their support of the Judges for Life Programme. This has enabled us to connect through the website, newsletters, the functions we hold, the weekends away, support for acting and retired judges and the sanctuary care programme, and the soon-to-be-created delegate support fund.
This has been something of a learning curve for me. The question often posed is what is it that JANZ does? As you will see under the heading “International” JANZ has a role representing New Zealand within the international judicial community as part of the International Association of Judges (IAJ).
We have a responsibility to promote the rule of law and the importance of judicial independence. Our membership of the IAG achieves that. Jeff Smith and I attended the IAJ Annual Meeting and Conference in Taipei. (For those concerned about “junkets”, this was at our own personal expense and on leave). It was an opportunity to see how that organisation functions and start making connections with judicial colleagues from around the world.
But the most important role of JANZ is pastoral and collegial. We are not a trade union as such. That does not mean we cannot assist in forming and conveying views for things such as the District Court Red Book review currently underway. That said, our main focus is on connecting with and supporting each other at all levels of the judiciary within New Zealand. This has included providing social functions. It has also included providing support for members in crisis on an anonymous needs-required basis through Sanctuary Care.
For this year we need to ensure all judges take up the opportunity to be part of JANZ. Promoting collegiality and support within and between benches is a key role we must continue to play. We are working on assisting our Pasifika sisters and brothers to have the opportunity to form their own organisations and join the IAJ.
I thank those who have served on the executive over the past year and thank them for continuing to serve. I welcome Janey Forrest to the executive.
Noel Sainsbury
President