Judges at the opening of Parliament

Judges at the opening of Parliament

The judges who preside over New Zealand’s various courts are appointed by the governor general and are protected, except in limited circumstances, from dismissal or even criticism by the government. The country’s senior judges attend the state opening of Parliament as representatives of the judicial arm of government. Here members of the judiciary are seen with Prime Minister Jim Bolger (right, front) at the opening of Parliament in 1996.