The head of the District Court, Russell Johnson, has died following a short illness.
Chief Judge Johnson practised law for 24 years before was appointed to the District Court Bench in 1993 and became the Chief District Court Judge in 2005.
The Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, Justice Minister Simon Power and Courts Minister Georgina Te Heuheu have all expressed their shock and sorrow at his death.
They say Chief Judge Johnson was an outstanding leader, as evidenced by the support he provided to the courts community in Christchurch following February's earthquake.
The Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, says he was a cherished colleague and those who worked with him feel bereft at his death.
