Council has determined that our Annual General Meeting planned for the 31st October 2020 will proceed as planned as long as we are at Covid-19 Level 1

“How much does it cost” and “how much do I owe you” are questions I have been asked four times in the past month. Not by recent migrants or overseas workers but NZ born and bred Kiwis. Sometimes we forget that for many people their only contact with the NZ Justice system is via a Justice of the Peace and many don’t realise that we are volunteers and that our services are free.

Unfortunately there are also members of the public who don’t either appreciate or value the commitment we all make as volunteers to help them with their requirements and sometimes we get the backlash of built-up stress and tension. If this should happen to you please feel free to contact me to talk about it. The CJPA Council is here to assist and support members at all times and also it’s good for me to have a “heads up” should the disgruntled client decide to make a complaint.

Please don’t stay silent or worry about it on your own – sometimes just sharing a concern or problem will go a long way to solving it.

The Annual Reports and Financial Statements will be available to members at least 14 days before the 31st October 2020, and if you have any questions or concerns about the CJPA Covid policy please don’t hesitate to contact me.

New Justices
I am pleased to report that after a long wait (for some at least) we were able to swear in 10 new JPs on the 15th September. Covid 19 restrictions meant that the JPs were in two groups of five, and their supporters were limited to three each.  Judge Susan Lindsay conducted very meaningful ceremonies and she addressed each Justice in turn – highlighting their attributes and recognising their community service.

Those sworn in were:- Paul Airay, John Davison, Jonathan Gardiner, Agnes Guda, Chantal Latimer, Shane Luzak, Simon Moore, Gillian Smith, Lynley Sutherland and Jennifer Townsend.

We welcome them warmly to CJPA and please say hello to any or all of them whenever the opportunity arises.

We also warmly welcome Chatham Islands JP Celine Gregory-Hunt, JP who has transferred in from the South Canterbury Association, Barbara Heaton, JP from Wellington and a belated welcome (with sincere apologies) to Graham Robertson, JP who transferred in from Ashburton some time ago but didn’t make into the database at the time.

Retirements
These Justices have recently retired from active service as a Justice of the Peace, Lorraine Blackler (39),   Susan McKenzie (17), Ellie Messervy (21),  Anthony Mooar (24), Nicola Tripp (27) and Jennifer Baxter (36).

Collectively they have served the community for 164 years and we thank them sincerely for their many years of voluntary service and wish them well in their retirement. They have all resigned from CJPA along with previously retired JP Dr Robert Kirk. Most of the recently retired Justices have applied for and been granted JP (Retired) status and I look forward to presenting them with their Certificates and Badges in the not too distant future.

Obituaries
Michael Button, JP died on the 8th July, having served for 18
years.
Russell King on the 5th August, having served 19 years. 
Erin Ryan, JP on the 23rd August having served 21 years. 
Patricia Mountford, JP (Retired) who died on the 10th September and was a long serving association member.

We acknowledge their significant contributions as Justices of the Peace and extend our sincere condolences to their families.

Certificates
Covid 19 has caused significant disruption to all activities including the presentation of Service Certificates and JP (Retired) certificates and badges. They are not forgotten and as circumstances allow they will be presented.

2021 Judicial Studies Course
Six applications were received for the 2021 Judicial Studies Course and the candidates were interviewed on the 10th September by a three person panel which included a Christchurch District Court Senior Manager.

Three names were then forwarded to the CJPA Council for endorsement and the Council meeting on the 17th September confirmed the Interview Panels recommendation. The final appointments will be made by the Royal Federation of Justices Associations after they have conducted a further interview with each the three applicants.

On behalf of the CJPA Council I sincerely thank the six members who applied and attended the interviews on the 10th.

CJPA Council Nominations
At the closing date – 5pm on the 1st September 2020 – 1 nomination each for President and Vice-President had been received along with 6 nominations for the 4 Councillor positions. Full details of each candidate will be included in the AGM Reports and an election for the four Councillors will be held at the AGM.

Again, I sincerely thank all those who have put their name forward for election to the CJPA Council.

Finally – spring has arrived with glorious colours and the promise of new life and growth – along with howling winds blowing trucks over on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and a dusting of snow on the tops of Banks Peninsula. This all seems perfectly normal in a tossed around world and, as we live with 1pm news updates and daily Covid numbers, we all need to remember to stay safe and keep being kind to each other.

Ken Shields, JP
Registrar