Helen Winkelmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Helen Winkelmann
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Winkelmann in 2022
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| 13th Chief Justice of New Zealand | |
| Assumed office 14 March 2019 |
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| Nominated by | Jacinda Ardern |
| Appointed by | Patsy Reddy |
| Preceded by | Sian Elias |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1962 (age 62–63) |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland |
| Profession | Barrister |
Dame Helen Diana Winkelmann (born in 1962) is a very important judge in New Zealand. She is the 13th and current Chief Justice of New Zealand. This means she is the head of all the judges and courts in the country. She started this role on 14 March 2019. Dame Helen is also the second woman ever to hold this top position, following Sian Elias.
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Growing Up and Education
Helen Winkelmann was born in 1962. Her mother, Kathleen, had Croatian family roots. Helen grew up in Blockhouse Bay, a suburb of Auckland. She went to Lynfield College for her high school education.
After school, she studied at the University of Auckland. She earned two degrees: one in history and another in law. She was very good at her studies, especially in business law. In 1985, she became a lawyer. Helen's sister, Adrienne Winkelmann, is a well-known fashion designer in New Zealand.
Starting Her Legal Career
Helen Winkelmann began her career working for a law firm in Auckland. By 1988, when she was just 25 years old, she became a "partner" at the firm. This meant she was one of the youngest and the first woman to hold such an important position there.
In 2001, she decided to work as a "barrister sole." This means she worked for herself, representing clients in court. She focused on cases about businesses, money problems, and medical rules.
Becoming a Judge
In July 2004, Helen Winkelmann was made a judge in the High Court. This is a very important court in New Zealand. In 2010, she became the Chief High Court Judge. She held this role until 2015, when she moved to the Court of Appeal.
As Chief High Court Judge, she made some big changes. She wanted to make it easier for people to use the High Court. She also worked to make sure cases were handled faster. She helped the public understand what the courts do, even starting a Twitter account for the Senior Courts.
Helen Winkelmann often talked about making justice fair and easy to reach for everyone. She also helped set up special court procedures after the big Christchurch earthquakes in 2011. This helped earthquake-related cases be dealt with quickly. For her work, she won an award in 2013.
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She also worked with other judges to make court processes better reflect New Zealand's two main cultures: Māori and Pākehā. In 2015, she joined the Court of Appeal. She also helped lead the Institute of Judicial Studies, which teaches judges new skills.
Important Court Decisions
Helen Winkelmann has made many important decisions as a judge. One well-known case involved Kim Dotcom. In 2012, she ruled that the police had used illegal warrants to take his property. She also said that giving his computer hard drives to the FBI was against the law.
Becoming Chief Justice
On 17 December 2018, it was announced that Helen Winkelmann would become the next Chief Justice. She officially started the job on 14 March 2019. This made her only the second woman to hold this top legal role in New Zealand.
Before becoming Chief Justice, she received a special honour. She was appointed a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This is a very high honour in New Zealand.
Helping Lead the Government
The Chief Justice has another important job: being the Administrator of the Government. This happens when the Governor-General (who represents the King or Queen in New Zealand) cannot do their job. This might be because they are sick, out of the country, or if there is no Governor-General at the time.
Dame Helen Winkelmann has filled this role six times. She has stepped in when Governors-General Patsy Reddy and Cindy Kiro were away, and during the time between their terms.
