Masterton job cuts uncertain

The Masterton District Court has been unaffected by court closures around the country but proposed staff cuts may still have an impact.

Neither Justice Minister Chester Borrows nor senior ministry officials would give numbers of staff at Masterton that could be affected by job cut proposals announced this week.

The proposals would see managerial jobs at district courts around the country disestablished, with a net loss of 68 jobs.

The minister also announced this week that 14 courthouses were to be closed or reduced in status with two courts close to Wairarapa - Feilding and Upper Hutt - being earmarked for closure.

Masterton courthouse is unaffected, and earthquake strengthening work at the court is set to begin.

Mr Borrows has said the proposed shake-up is designed to modernise management structures and underpin a shift to providing better services to court users and the public.

The Times-Age asked the ministry whether any staff cuts were likely at the Masterton District Court but was told a regional breakdown would not be given.

Matt Torbit, Ministry of Justice Communications spokesman, said the changes were still proposals and "we are still talking with staff in the affected areas". He said Mr Borrows would be happy to give further general comment about Masterton courthouse. But the minister's office said he would not be speaking further on regional staff issues.