Joanne (Jo) Rielly has been appointed a District Court Judge with jury jurisdiction to be based in Nelson, Attorney-General David Parker has announced.

Judge Rielly will replace recently retired Judge David Ruth.

Judge Rielly is a partner with Elvidge and Partners, Office of the Crown Solicitor for Napier and Gisborne, having joined that firm in 2006. She has prosecuted numerous District and High Court trials.

During her time with the Police from 1994 until 2006, she was a district manager of Police prosecution services and became an Inspector in 2005.

Judge Rielly will be sworn in on 11 June 2020 in Napier.