They will rehear Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act proceedings
Helen Winkelmann, New Zealand’s chief justice, has announced the appointments of Cheryl Gwyn and Peter Churchman as acting judges of the New Zealand High Court, pursuant to acting warrants.
According to a media statement from the New Zealand courts, Governor-General Cindy Kiro made the appointments based on Attorney-General Chris Bishop’s advice. The appointments are for the following terms:
The media statement noted that the appointments will enable the acting judges to help rehear some proceedings under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, over which they previously presided.
The courts’ media statement added that rehearings were necessary due to later amendments to that legislation and the remission of the proceedings to the High Court after appeal rulings.
The government’s announcement of Gwyn’s appointment as an Auckland High Court judge provided more information regarding her experience and background.
In 2014, Gwyn became inspector-general of intelligence and security, based in Wellington.
From 2003–14, she served as deputy solicitor‑general. In that role, she oversaw the Crown Law Office’s attorney‑general’s group and managed matters involving Treaty of Waitangi, human rights, and constitutional law issues.
In 2001, Gwyn became deputy secretary for justice at the Ministry of Justice. There, she formed a public law group and acted for New Zealand before the United Nations. Before that, she worked as a Russell McVeagh partner in Wellington for five years.
In 1986, she joined Chapman Tripp as a law graduate. She became a staff solicitor upon her bar admission in 1987 and became a partner in 1991.
From the University of Auckland, Gwyn earned a BA in political studies and English and an LLB (honours) in 1979.
The government’s announcement of Churchman’s appointment as a High Court judge provided more information regarding his experience and background.
Churchman earned a Queen’s Counsel designation in 2013 and joined the independent bar in 2005. He is a LEADR-trained mediator.
He has appeared before the Family Court, Environment Court, Employment Court, Māori Land Court, and New Zealand’s higher courts.
In 2000, Churchman became a Kensington Swan partner in Wellington and led the firm’s national employment law team. In 1990, he became an appointed member of the Crown Panel.
In 1984, he became a litigation partner at Caudwells (now Anderson Lloyd). From 1982–83, he served as a solicitor at John Farry and Gowing in Dunedin. Before that, he worked at French Sons Burt & Co in Invercargill.
He has taught as a part-time law lecturer at the University of Otago. He received his LLM from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and his LLB (honours) from the University of Otago in 1979.
On 19 December 2025, the government announced Victoria Louise Heine’s appointment as a Wellington High Court judge as of 16 February 2026. Chief Justice Winkelmann noted that Heine’s appointment was in preparation for Churchman’s retirement in July 2026.
Here are some other announcements regarding appointments of judges to the High Court of New Zealand.
On 24 July 2026, Bishop announced the appointment of Edward David (Ed) Crook, an Auckland-based barrister and solicitor, as a High Court judge sitting in Auckland as of 24 August 2026.
On 24 April 2026, Bishop announced the appointment of Rachel Julienne Sussock as a High Court judge sitting in Auckland, effective on 1 June 2026.
On 26 February 2026, Chief Justice Winkelmann announced an acting warrant for the appointment of Clive Taylor as an acting associate judge of the High Court from 10 March 2026 to 31 December 2026.
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