Judicial appointees will sit in Napier and Hamilton, respectively
Chris Bishop, attorney-general, has announced the appointments of the following judges of the New Zealand District Court: Leighvi Maynard, based in Napier, and Nicola Graham, based in Hamilton.
According to the announcement, the ceremonies to swear in these judicial appointees will take place as follows: Maynard in Gisborne on 21 November 2026, and Graham on 14 December 2026.
The government’s news release provided more information regarding their professional background and legal experience.
Maynard and Riki Donnelly, Gisborne Crown solicitor, launched Rāwhiti Legal in 2024 to accommodate the Crown prosecution warrant’s return to Gisborne. As a senior Crown prosecutor in Gisborne, Maynard has prosecuted serious criminal cases on the Crown’s behalf.
In 2016, he joined the independent bar. He practised mainly as a senior criminal defence lawyer while working on the Crown prosecution panel.
At Burnard Bull & Co, Maynard joined in 2013 and became a partner in 2015. He served as a criminal defence lawyer and as a Crown prosecution panel member for Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay.
In 2010, he became a Crown prosecutor at the Office of the Crown Solicitor for Rotorua, Taupō, and Tokoroa Region.
Starting in 2006, Maynard worked as a general practitioner across the civil, employment, Māori land, family, and criminal law jurisdictions.
At the beginning of his legal career, he was an Auckland-based member of Simpson Grierson’s environment, planning, and resource management team.
Graham is based in Napier. In 2017, she became an auditor for legal services. Her experience has encompassed all aspects of the criminal jurisdiction.
In 2013, she established Nicola Graham Law as a sole practice in Napier. She has served as defence counsel and as an appointed youth advocate.
Graham began her legal career at Elvidge and Partners, the office of the Crown Solicitor in Napier and later also in Gisborne. As a Crown prosecutor, she acted as lead counsel in numerous criminal trials before the District Court and the High Court of New Zealand.
Here are some other announcements regarding appointments of judges to the District Court of New Zealand.
On 4 September 2026, Bishop announced the appointment of Christopher Morris as a judge of the Auckland District Court, to be sworn in on 22 October 2026.
On 12 June 2026, Bishop announced the appointments of the following new judges of the District Court: Maurice John Casey, Bryony Ann Millar, Tiffany Mary Cooper, and Erin Lee Woolley.
On 15 May 2026, Bishop announced the appointment of Kerryn Beaton as a judge of the Dunedin District Court, to be sworn in on 2 July 2026 in Christchurch.
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