Rotorua 'son' made judge (+video)

New District Court Judge John Bergseng (centre) outside the Rotorua courthouse at his swearing in ceremony. Photo: Ben Fraser

A "son of Rotorua" known for his modesty and humility has become New Zealand's newest District Court judge.

Following a pohiri at the Rotorua courthouse today, lawyer John Bergseng was sworn in as Judge Bergseng in front of the Chief District Court judge and 18 other judges, most of the Rotorua legal fraternity and his family and friends.

He joins his wife Judge Anna Skellern on the bench - she was sworn in a year ago in Rotorua and sits in Hawkes Bay.

Judge Bergseng will sit in the Waitakere District Court after a short stint relieving in Wellington.

Judge Bergseng moved to Rotorua as a 3-year-old and was educated in the city until he was in the fourth form. After completing his schooling in Timaru he worked at Watties before studying law.

After two years practicing law in Wellington, he returned to Rotorua to join the law firm that is now McKechnie, Quirke & Lewis.

He worked mainly in the criminal jurisdiction and appeared in trials from the District Court through to the Court of Appeal.

Judge Bergseng left Rotorua in 1997, working in Auckland, Australia and latterly Tauranga. However he maintained close links with Rotorua and until recently conducted trials in the city.

Rotorua lawyer Murray McKechnie said Judge Bergseng had developed his skills "in this very courthouse".

"He is truly a son of Rotorua . . . he spent a good deal of his legal career here."
Mr McKechnie said two of the key qualities for a judge were character and judgement and Judge Bergseng possessed those "in abundance".

Paul Mabey QC said Judge Bergseng had experience "in law and life" and was not afraid of hard work.

Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue spoke of the new judge's intellect and humility.

"You are an everyman judge," she said. "The role will be demanding but I have confidence in your ability."

Judge Bergseng thanked his wife, joking he will "forever be the junior judge".
He said he was ready for the challenge ahead.

"I would hope that anyone that had appeared before me will feel listened to, dealt with fairly and [understand] the reasons I have made the decision I have."