Full Breakdown
Judicial Conduct Inquiry into Judge Ema Aitken's Alleged Disruption at NZ First Event
2/11/2026, 6:45:57 PM
Overview of the Incident
The Judicial Conduct Panel is investigating District Court Judge Ema Aitken's conduct during a New Zealand First function at Auckland's Northern Club on November 22, 2024. Aitken is accused of disrupting the event by allegedly yelling at party leader Winston Peters and making derogatory remarks about his speech. This unprecedented inquiry could lead to her removal from office, as it is the first time a New Zealand judge has faced such scrutiny.
Key Details of the Event
During the event, Aitken reportedly overheard Peters making comments about "tikanga Maori law" and expressed her disagreement by saying, “He’s lying! How can you let him say that?” Aitken claims she did not recognize Peters' voice and was unaware it was a political event. She described her comments as inaudible and denied shouting, stating she was merely passing by when she made the remarks.
Witnesses, including NZ First party secretary Holly Howard and board member Dorothy Jones, provided contrasting accounts. Howard described Aitken's behavior as aggressive, asserting that she attempted to block the judge from entering the function. Jones corroborated Howard's account, stating that Aitken's actions were disruptive and that they had to escort her away from the event.
Official Statements & Responses
Aitken's lawyer, David Jones KC, argued that the incident has been exaggerated and politicized, asserting that his client is a respected judicial figure with an exemplary record. He challenged the credibility of the witnesses, suggesting inconsistencies in their accounts. Jones emphasized that Aitken's actions were not intended to disrupt the function and questioned whether the inquiry could be conducted fairly given the political context.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Aitken's conduct, including Howard and Jones, have expressed concerns about the implications of a judge behaving in such a manner at a political event. Howard noted that the atmosphere was heightened due to previous protests at NZ First functions, which may have influenced her perception of Aitken's actions. Jones, however, suggested that the focus on Aitken was politically motivated, questioning whether the inquiry was being used to leverage political advantage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies between the accounts provided by Aitken and the witnesses. While Aitken maintains that she did not shout and was unaware of the political nature of the event, Howard and Jones assert that her behavior was loud and confrontational. Additionally, Aitken's husband, Dr. David Galler, is also implicated in the incident for allegedly confronting Costello, further complicating the narrative surrounding the event.
What's Next
The Judicial Conduct Panel will continue to hear evidence from additional witnesses, including other judges present at the event. The panel will prepare a report for Acting Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith, who will ultimately decide whether Aitken should be removed from her position. The outcome of this inquiry is expected to have significant implications for the integrity of the judiciary in New Zealand.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn’t know who the speaker was, but I did believe the speaker’s comments went a step too far,” — Judge Ema Aitken
- “It was conduct I would not have expected to see inside a venue like the Northern Club.” — Holly Howard
- “Ms Howard, you are just creating a different version, aren’t you?” — David Jones KC
- “It seems to be that there is some potential floating of an idea that they’ve been spoken to and Judge [Aitken] doesn’t want them to give evidence, and that simply hasn’t happened.” — David Jones KC
