The Judicial Office for Senior Courts has published a summary of the New Zealand Court Process for Murder Charges.

The backgrounder says the rule of law means that all persons, institutions, and entities, whether private or public and including the state, are accountable to, and entitled to, the protection of the laws of New Zealand, and that the law is enforced by an independent judiciary.

"The laws of New Zealand set out roles for how court cases must run. Judges control court proceedings and are responsible for ensuring criminal trials are fair," it states.

"It is a fundamental principal of our system that judges operate completely independently. Court proceedings must take place without interference from politicians or government officials."

Information is provided on the rules and processes before trial, during the trial, on sentencing and on appeal.