All new jury trials have been suspended for two months because of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
However, the Chief Justice said current trials would be allowed to finish.
Dame Helen Winkelman said the courts had a duty to protect jurors and bringing in large numbers of people for jury selection was too risky.
"There is a special onus on the courts to protect the health of jurors who are performing an important civic duty," she said.
"The process of empanelling juries often involves bringing large numbers of people together in relatively confined spaces. Once empanelled jurors are inevitably spending significant periods of time in relatively close contact."
She said there was also a risk of trials having to be called off if someone became unwell and had to be sent home.
The courts and justice officials will be talking to victims, defendants. lawyers and court staff about what the decision means for them.
A judicial steering group is working with the Ministry of Justice to explore ways in which technology might be used to enable lawyers and others to participate remotely in appropriate cases.
There are also measures being looked at to reduce the numbers of people attending court in public foyers and galleries.
