West Coast courthouse comes up for sale

The inside of the courthouse. Photo / supplied

Want to be judge and jury in your own courthouse? Your dreams could come true with the old Whataroa Courthouse on the West Coast just listed for sale.

Built in 1939, it closed in 2013 and retains many original features.

PGG Wrightson agent Dave Nolan said he had never sold a courthouse before, and confirmed it came with the judge's bench, but no gavel.

"We've had a couple of inquiries already," Mr Nolan said.

As the empty building sits on the main road through town he hopes it could possibly be used for a tourism venture.

Until it closed, the District Court used to sit at Whataroa just four times a year, bringing justice to South Westland.

Another agent Barbara O'Neill-Nolan said the building had been well maintained, and had high ceilings, three major rooms "and a jail".

"It could be used for anything, a cafe, accommodation, a holiday home."

A heritage covenant applied for the outside, but that was nothing to be scared of, she said.

"It's very, very, very nice."

Tenders close on January 30.