Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of New Zealand is the country's highest court.  It was established on Jan 1, 2004 when legal responsibility for its function was transferred from London to Wellington.

The Supreme Court building is housed in an architecturally unique structure located just south of the Beehive and Parliament House. 

Supreme Court of New Zealand

The "Old" Supreme Court Building is located just south of the existing Supreme Court Building.  It functioned as the nation's superior court (i.e. not the court of last resort) from 1841 until 1980.

In 1980, the Old Court was renamed as the High Court of New Zealand, in anticipation of the creation of the nation's first real Supreme Court.

Old Supreme Court Building

The Supreme Court of New Zealand can be found at the intersection of Lambton Quay and Whitmore Street in Wellington.