Court cancelled after 18 judges struck with gastro during retreat

Eighteen of the New Zealand's top judges were hit with a stomach bug during a conference, causing the cancellation of a number of court hearings.

Sick judges has forced the cancellation of court hearings this week after 18 of New Zealand's 53 Supreme, Appeal and High Court judges were struck down with a gastro bug during a luxury chateau retreat.

According to a report by Stuff, at least one High Court sitting has been cancelled as a result, and at least three Court of Appeal sittings.

A spokesperson for the Judicial Office confirmed the judges contracted a “short-lived gastro bug” after a conference, although the cause of illness was still unclear.

The manager of the luxury lodge, the Chateau Tongariro, declined Stuff’s request for comment yesterday.

Waikato Population Health investigates viral outbreaks in the region.  The organisation confirmed they were aware of the gastro outbreak said judges and the lodge would be interviewed to determine the cause.