By DITA DE BONI
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson says the country's judges, more than 200 of them, are afforded as much protection as possible in an "open and transparent" judicial system.
Ms Wilson, when asked last night, said she had ordered a review of judges' security around New Zealand in light of
the kidnapping of the daughter of Justice Eddie Durie and lawyer Donna Hall.
She was satisfied with the findings.
"As a precautionary measure I asked Courts Department officials to review security [for judges] because I wanted to satisfy myself that everything possible was done.
"I am satisfied that every effort is made but of course it is hard to ensure people's safety 100 per cent of the time."
She did not want to outline the safety measures now in place, saying that to do so would possibly endanger them.
A report she had recently received outlined 60 incidents of threats against judges in the past two years, ranging from minor to serious incidents.
"The vast majority were minor to moderate. We are lucky, and long may it continue."
Ms Wilson said she had no idea if the abduction of Kahurautete Durie had anything to do with the fact that Eddie Durie, the baby's adoptive father, was a prominent High Court judge.
Certain judges were afforded extra security, Ms Wilson said.
For example, the Family Court was closed to the public and the media, because of the nature of cases heard there.
She pointed to serious incidents, including the murder of two Australian family court judges in the 1980s, as well as the 1990 Machete attack on Justice Augusta Wallace, now Dame Augusta, in the Otahuhu Youth Court.
"We make sure security in the court itself is very strong, and of course the judges take precautions in their private lives as well," Ms Wilson said.
"But overall, our precautions have to be balanced with an open and transparent justice system."
Full coverage: Baby Kahu kidnapping
Picture: Kahurautete Durie
Picture: Kahurautete's clothing
Picture: the car being sought by police
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