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District Court Judge Ema Aitken faces Judicial Conduct Panel for disrupting NZ First event

RNZ 07:58 AM UTC Mon February 09, 2026 Politics

Judge Ema Aitken is accused of shouting that NZ First leader Winston Peters was lying. Photo: RNZ Composite

A District Court judge will have her actions scrutinised by a Judicial Conduct Panel today, as she faces accusations of disrupting a New Zealand First event.

Judge Ema Aitken will appear before the panel, after allegedly disrupting a function at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club in 2024.

She is accused of shouting that NZ First leader Winston Peters was lying.

Judge Aitken said she didn't shout, did not recognise Peters' voice when she responded to remarks she overheard and did not know it was a political event.

A judicial conduct panel will determine facts and write a report to the attorney-general, including whether the removal of the judge is justified.

Judge Aitken is being represented by David Jones KC. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii

It is being led by retired Court of Appeal Judge Brendan Brown KC, and includes sitting Court of Appeal Judge Justice Jillian Mallon and former Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Judge Aitken is being represented by David Jones KC.

Presenting the allegations of misconduct to the panel are special counsel Tim Stephens KC and Jonathan Orpin-Dowell.

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District Court Judge Ema Aitken denies some of the claims.

District Court Judge Ema Aitken is accused of disrupting a New Zealand First event at Auckland's Northern Club last November.

A Judicial Conduct Panel will consider Judge Ema Aitken's behaviour.

A Judicial Conduct Panel will look into the behaviour of Acting District Court judge Ema Aitken, after she allegedly accused Winston Peters of lying.

Judge Ema Aitken got into a fracas involving NZ First leader Winston Peters at Auckland's Northern Club.

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