Justice of the peace Fergus Cumming (right) providing public service.
Two hundred years since the first Justice of the Peace was appointed in New
Zealand and JP services are growing in Rotorua with the help of the Rotorua Trust.
Cathy Cooney, the current president of the Rotorua and District JP Association, says the new developments reflect a growing wish for people to meet with JPs in public places rather than having to go to JPs’ homes.
This wish for new meeting places has grown considerably in the past few years. Previously, the association did meet people on each Tuesday at the Rotorua Court House and once a week at the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Now, the association also has meeting rooms available at the Rotorua District Council, the Waiariki Institute of Technology and Western Heights Community Centre.
The Trust is assisting the association by funding a monthly advertisement and by providing funds for the development of banners and boards to let people know where they can meet the JPs.
“Having had this strategy of providing a service for people in public places, it was critical we have financial support to be able to promote these services The support of the Trust gives us a great opportunity to make sure people know what is available to them in their local area.”
This year is the 200th anniversary of the first JP in New Zealand, so it was good to have the support of the Trust behind
the organisation.
For more information contact:
Rotorua & District JP
Association Registrar,
Mr Barry Gaylard