Her practice has covered contract, equity, regulatory disputes
Judith Collins, attorney-general, has announced the appointment of Victoria Louise Heine as a High Court judge in Wellington as of 16 February 2026, to be sworn in on 26 February 2026 at the Old High Court in Wellington.
In a media statement, Helen Winkelmann, New Zealand’s chief justice, welcomed the attorney-general’s announcement of Heine’s judicial appointment.
Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann noted that Heine’s appointment is in preparation for Justice Peter Churchman’s retirement in July 2026.
The government’s news release and the chief justice’s media statement provided more information regarding Heine’s professional experience and educational background.
Since 2018, she has practised as a barrister sole out of Thorndon Chambers in Wellington. Her practice covered contractual and equity disputes, enforcement under the Fair Trading Act 1986 and Commerce Act 1986, regulatory disputes, and environmental work.
After joining Chapman Tripp in 2005, Heine became a partner at the firm in 2007 and a senior litigation partner while also acting as deputy chair and chair for five years.
She joined Chen Palmer, a public law specialist firm, as a partner in 2002. Before that, she worked as a junior barrister.
Heine has been appointed Wellington King’s Counsel. She is an adjunct law lecturer in civil remedies at Victoria University of Wellington, a Reserve Panel member for the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and a board member of Equestrian Sports New Zealand.
Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1997, she earned an LLM from the University of Chicago.
Heine became a solicitor at Russell McVeagh in 1993. She obtained a BS in biochemistry in 1990 and an LLB (first-class honours) in 1993 from Victoria University of Wellington.
