The Right Honourable Dame Helen Winkelmann GNZM, Chief Justice of New Zealand

The Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann GNZM was sworn in as New Zealand’s 13th Chief Justice on 14 March 2019. She is the second Chief Justice since the introduction of the Supreme Court Act 2004 which ended appeals to the Privy Council.

A graduate from Auckland University, Chief Justice Winkelmann began work as a law clerk with Auckland firm Nicholson Gribbin (later Phillips Fox, now DLA Piper). She was admitted to the bar in 1985. In 1988, she became the first female partner and one of the youngest ever in the firm’s then 117-year history. Chief Justice Winkelmann remained at the firm until 2001 when she began practice as a barrister sole specialising in insolvency, commercial litigation, and medical disciplinary litigation. In 2004 she was appointed as a High Court Judge; followed by Chief High Court Judge in 2010 and then she was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2015.

From November 2012 – November 2019 she was Chair of the Institute of Judicial Studies – the body responsible for providing continued education to judges. As Chief Justice she retains a keen interest in judicial education.

Chief Justice Winkelmann’s speeches are available on the Speeches, papers and interviews page.

• Full biography Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann
• Pōwhiri and Ceremonial Sitting Chief Justice