Jury service minimum opt-out age raised after Whanganui MP’s member’s bill passes

Whanganui MP Carl Bates says no one will be forced to serve on a jury. Photo / NZME

The age for automatically opting out of jury service has been lifted.

The Juries (Age of Excusal) Amendment Bill, a member’s bill from Whanganui MP Carl Bates, became law last week, with the age increasing from 65 to 72.

In a written statement, Bates said the previous opt-out age was based on a law last reviewed in 1981 and “life has changed a lot since then, as has the average age of New Zealanders”.

According to Stats NZ, the number of people in the country aged 65 and over is expected to hit a million by 2028.

In 1980, there were 299,200 people in that age bracket.

Juries, made up of 12 people, are randomly selected from the Electoral Roll, with payment starting at $31 for a half day.

Grey Power Whanganui president Nerrily Frith said the organisation supported the move, as long as people had the choice to serve on a jury.

Bates said no one would be forced to serve.

“Grounds for excusal based on health, caring responsibilities, employment pressures or personal circumstances remain unchanged.

“Compassion and discretion remain central to the system.”

Bates said he visited the Auckland High Court with the Minister of Justice in 2024.

“Staff commented to us about the growing number of people exercising their right to automatic excusal from age 65.

“Court staff then had to issue additional summonses to ensure jury panels were sufficiently large, which was time-consuming and inefficient.”

The bill passed its first reading last May, then passed through a select committee process and two further parliamentary debates, Bates said.

“Civic duty and public contribution don’t simply stop at 65 and it’s important our laws reflect this reality.

“This change is a practical step forward that will support the effective operation of our justice system.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.