Supreme Court case information
Listed below are the substantive Supreme Court cases for the year along with appeals still to be determined or cases awaiting hearing.
Information giving an overview of the case is included along with media releases and links to judgments being appealed when available.
All 2024 - 2014 Supreme Court cases dismissed or deemed to be dismissed where a notice of abandonment was received can be found here.
Transcripts for cases heard before the Supreme Court are included provided they are not suppressed. Transcripts from pre-trial hearings are not published until the final disposition of trial. These are unedited transcripts and they are not a formal record of the Court’s proceedings. The Ministry of Justice does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any material and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use.
14 May 2024
Case information summary 2024 (as at 14 May 2024) – Cases where leave granted (121 KB)
Case information summary 2024 (as at 14 May 2024) – Cases where leave to appeal decision not yet made (PDF, 92 KB)
All years
Case name
Rapata (Robert) LEEF as representative of Ngati Taka v Colin BIDOIS as representative of Pirirakau, AND Jason AKE, Te Pio KAWE, Lance WAAKA, Robert URWIN, Kimiora RAWIRI, Philip HIKAIRO, Stephanie TAIAPA and Mikere WAIRUA as Trustees of Nga Hapu O Ngat
Case number
SC 113/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in holding that the arbitration agreement entered into by Ngāti Taka and Pirirakau replaced an earlier arbitration process agreed among the hapū of Ngāti Ranginui – Whether the Court of Appeal correctly interpreted the earlier agreement – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in holding that the deed of settlement entered into between representatives of all hapū of Ngāti Ranginui and the Crown is final and binding as between Ngāti Taka and Pirirakau.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicant is to pay to the first respondent costs of $2,500
21 December 2017
B The applicant is to pay to the first respondent costs of $2,500
21 December 2017
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
Benjamin Vainu V The Queen
Case number
SC 114/2017
Result
The application for an extension of time to appeal is dismissed.
9 February 2018
9 February 2018
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
BENJAMIN VAINU v R [2018] NZSC 12 [9 February 2018] (PDF, 198 KB)
Court of Appeal decision
Case name
M v The Queen
Case number
SC 115/2017
Summary
Criminal Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in finding there was no miscarriage of justice despite the cumulative effect of multiple alleged trial deficiencies.
Result
A An extension of time to apply for leave to appeal is granted. B The application for leave to appeal is dismissed. 22 March 2018
High Court decision
Not publicly available
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
M (SC 115/2017) v R [2018] NZSC 21 [22 March 2018] (PDF, 192 KB)
Judgment appealed from
not publicly available
Case name
K v The Queen
Case number
SC 116/2017
Summary
Criminal Appeal – Criminal Procedure Act 2011, s 200 – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing the applicant’s appeal against the refusal of the High Court to suppress certain parts of the proceedings.
Result
The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
21 December 2017
21 December 2017
High Court decision
Not publicly available
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Court of Appeal decision
not publicly available
Case name
Karl Teangiotau Nuku v The District Court at Auckland and The Attorney General
Case number
SC 117/2017
Summary
Criminal Appeal – Crimes Act 1961, s 347 – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing the applicant’s appeal against a failed application for judicial review of the trial Judge’s decision not to discharge the applicant under s 347.
Result
The application for leave to appeal is dismissed
8 February 2018
___________________________
The recall application is dismissed.
4 May 2018
8 February 2018
___________________________
The recall application is dismissed.
4 May 2018
High Court decision
Court of Appeal decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Recall judgment
Case name
The New Zealand Registered Architects Board V Jeremiah McLanahan, E-Lyn Tan and Stephen McDougall
Case number
SC 118/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in quashing the decision of the Board dismissing the complaints made by the first respondents against the second respondent.
Result
A notice of abandonment having been lodged, the appeal is deemed to be dismissed. 1 February 2018
Case name
Desmond James Albert Conway v Mercedes-Benz Financial Services New Zealand Limited
Case number
SC 119/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in its interpretation and application of the Personal Property Securities Act 1999 and the Property Law Act 2007 – Whether the applicant was mortgagor of vehicles repossessed by the respondent.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The applicant must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
23 February 2018
B The applicant must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
23 February 2018
High Court decision
High Court decision
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Case name
W V The Family Court at North Shore and The Chief Executive o the Ministry of Vulnerable Children
Case number
SC 120/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Court of Appeal (Civil) Rules 2005 – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in declining an application for extension of time.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the second respondent.
8th February 2018
B Costs of $2,500 are awarded to the second respondent.
8th February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Court of Appeal decision
Case name
Earl Raymond Hagaman v Andrew James Little
Case number
SC 121/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing the appeal on the basis that the proceeding abates with the death of Mr Hagaman.
Result
A The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
B The personal representatives of Mr Hagaman must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
13 February 2018
B The personal representatives of Mr Hagaman must pay costs of $2,500 to the respondent.
13 February 2018
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Judgment appealed from
Case name
Razdan Rafiq v Attorney-General, Secretary for Department of Internal Affairs, Independent Police Complaints Authority, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development, Commissioner of Police and Auckland Council
Case number
SC 122/2017
Summary
Civil Appeal – Senior Courts Act 2016, s 166 – Whether the Court of Appeal erred in finding it did not have jurisdiction to review the decision of the Deputy Registrar.
Result
The application is dismissed for want of jurisdiction 4 December 2017
High Court decision
Leave judgment - leave dismissed
Recall judgment
Judgment appealed from
[2017] NZCA 495 not publicly available
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