Thursday, April 30, 2026

Judge in Winston Peters incident avoids removal

Ema Aitken misconduct outcome

A judicial conduct panel has found the actions of Judge Ema Aitken at Auckland’s Northern Club in 2024 do not justify her removal.

The panel said her actions were a “serious breach of comity” but fell short of the high threshold of “misbehaviour” required for removal.

Judge Aitken was accused of yelling at New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and calling him a liar.

She denied yelling and said she did not recognise Peters or know it was a political event.

During the hearing, NZ First MP Casey Costello said the judge must have known who she was addressing.



Special Counsel Tim Stephens KC said the panel’s role was to assess conduct and recommend whether removal should be considered, noting the final decision rests with the acting Attorney General.

He said removal is not disciplinary but protective. Judge Aitken will remain an acting District Court judge until her warrant expires in February. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith released the decision and declined further comment, while Peters’ office has been contacted.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. For a judge to behave in such ways and then keep your job and judge others is not acceptable to the public.

    She is not in control of herself. She must go.

  2. Ladies and gentlemen of the guilty, have you reach your verdict? We have .

    Please read the verdict.

    We the jury find Ema Aitken not guilty.

    The court thanks you for your service.

    Ema Aitken. You have been found not guilty by a jury who truly are your peers. You had no chance of being found guilty be your work colleagues.

    Heres how it should have worked. The jury should have been members of the public. Not her mates.

    The public confidence drops further.

    The Attorney General must stand her down. New Zealand cannot have a judge who behaves as she did.

  3. Her husband was with her and was running his yap as well, he is also jooish, I said when the story broke that they will not be censured, to censure her would be to censure the joo, and this country is full to the top of joocuks.

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