24 Nov 2023

Slow and costly process to fix run down courts

From Morning Report, 8:23 am on 24 November 2023

The slow and costly process of rebuilding the country's run-down court buildings has been revealed.

An OIA shows the Justice Ministry's property team - which is heading a half billion dollar nationwide fix - has been flooded with contractors and consultants.

One senior contractor has been paid about $2,000 a day for the last 17 months. A Ministry review this year found the team was uncoordinated and inefficient, though improving.

To speak about the impact this is having on our courts, we're joined by Sumudu Thode the principal of Auckland law firm Thode Utting and Co, and who is on the executive committee of the Criminal Bar Association.

Thode spoke to Corin Dann.