The new judge is a former inspector who served on the police force for a decade.
A new District Court judge has taken up the gavel.
Following the retirement of Judge David Ruth in March, Attorney-General David Parker announced the appointment of Joanne Rielly to take his place on 1 May. Rielly will have jury jurisdiction, and she will be based in Nelson.
Rielly served as part of the police force for more than 10 years. She ascended to the rank of inspector in 2005, and was district manager of police prosecution services.
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On leaving the force, Rielly took a position with Elvidge and Partners, the Napier and Gisborne Crown Solicitors, in 2006. She is currently a partner at the firm, and has appeared before the District and High Courts as a prosecutor.
Rielly will officially be sworn in as judge in Napier on 11 June.
In October 2019, Elvidge and Partners partner Jonathan Krebs also became a district judge.