District Court Judge Carolyn Henwood is one of six Victoria University of Wellington alumni who have been selected as Distinguished Alumni Award winners for 2019.

The awards are to recognise their outstanding contributions to fields ranging from business, to youth justice, to space exploration.

Since her retirement from full-time duties, Judge Henwood as served as an Acting District Court Judge.

Outside the courtroom, she helped implement Te Hurihanga, a youth justice programme, and served as chair of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service, which supported people who suffered abuse or neglect while in the care of the state before 1992. She also established, and currently chairs, the Henwood Trust, which provides independent policy advice on working with young offenders. The Trust has worked extensively with iwi on a number of key initiatives.

She is a founding member of Wellington’s Circa Theatre and a foundation trustee of the Theatre Artists Charitable Trust, and remains an active member of both organisations.