The Judicial Salaries and Allowances (2018/19) Determination 2018 has increased the total remuneration paid to New Zealand's judiciary by amounts ranging from 1.1% to 7.0%. The overall increase is around 1.8% in total remuneration.
The determination was made on 18 December by the Remuneration Authority pursuant to the Remuneration Authority Act 1977. It has abolished a principal allowance for general expenses which was previously paid to the judiciary.
"The Authority has determined that this allowance is redundant in this modern world. Therefore, from 1 October 2018, the grossed up principal allowance for general expenses has been incorporated into the salaries of judicial officers payable under this determination," the explanatory note to the determination states.
The Authority says some positions such as the Chief High Court Judge, Associate Judges of the High Court, Principal Youth Court Judge, and Principal Environment Judge received a higher increase to address historic relativity issues.
"Rather than percentage increases, the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal received a flat rate increase based on the increase to the salary of a Judge of the High Court."
The Authority is required to have regard to a number of factors when setting judicial remuneration and allowances.
The total remuneration by position in the latest determination is as follows. The combined salary and principal allowance determination for the previous year is shown for comparison.
Total salaries (including principal allowances)
| Judicial officer | 1-Oct-18 | 1-Oct-17 | 2017 to 2018 |
| Chief Justice | 553,100 | 540,300 | 2.4% |
| Judge of Supreme Court | 518,400 | 506,300 | 2.4% |
| President of Court of Appeal | 518,400 | 506,300 | 2.4% |
| Judge of Court of Appeal | 486,500 | 474,800 | 2.5% |
| Chief High Court Judge | 486,500 | 472,800 | 2.9% |
| Judge of High Court | 464,100 | 452,400 | 2.6% |
| Associate Judge of High Court | 369,000 | 345,000 | 7.0% |
| Chief District Court Judge | 463,200 | 451,800 | 2.5% |
| Principal Family Court Judge | 397,600 | 393,200 | 1.1% |
| Principal Youth Court Judge | 385,700 | 371,300 | 3.9% |
| Principal Environment Judge | 385,700 | 371,300 | 3.9% |
| District Court Judge | 348,700 | 345,000 | 1.1% |
| Chief Judge of Employment Court | 434,900 | 430,000 | 1.1% |
| Judge of Employment Court | 393,100 | 388,900 | 1.1% |
| Chief Judge of Māori Land Court | 397,600 | 393,200 | 1.1% |
| Deputy Chief Judge of Māori Land Court | 375,100 | 371,000 | 1.1% |
| Judge of Māori Land Court | 348,700 | 345,000 | 1.1% |