Students can be enormously proud

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“It was so refreshing to hear children’s voices and it was an important reminder of how children are affected by so many court judgments and decisions.

“The students performed with huge passion, enthusiasm and commitment, and they can be enormously proud of themselves.

“We were humbled by their excellence of presentation and no one who was there will quickly forget them.

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“Given that three of the judges on the bench hail from Wainuiomata, it was also a good reminder to all the children involved that there is no reason why some of them couldn’t end up in the same place in the decades to come,” Justice Becroft says.

Justice Becroft, Justice Paul Radich and Justice David Collins are all from Wainuiomata and are all High Court Judges.

The swearing in was “a very moving occasion which blended the tradition of the High Court with modern New Zealand,” Justice Becroft says.

Sam Barnes sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

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“It was a real privilege to be asked to go to such a unique and important occasion,” says Craig Sharp, the Principal of Wainuiomata Intermediate School.

“It was great to continue our association with Justice Becroft.”

Wainuiomata Intermediate School and Justice Becroft, when he was the Children’s Commissioner, worked together on the smokefree cars legislation.

The Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Actwas passed in May 2020 and came into force on 28 November 2021.

When meeting up with the judges following the formal swearing in, they appreciated the energy and vibrancy the students had brought and the fact that they were being spontaneous, Mr Sharp said.

“The fact that three Judges have come from Wainuiomata will say to the kids as well that they could follow this path [and become Judges],” he added.

After graduating from Auckland University with a BA LLB(Hons), Judge Becroft worked at law firm Fortune Manning and then at the neighbourhood law office in Grey Lynn until 1986.

That year he and fellow lawyer Johnny Moses set up the steering group that established the Mangere Law Centre, where he worked until 1993.

Justice Becroft then worked as a criminal barrister until 1993, when he was appointed a District Court Judge.

He was the Principal Youth Court Judge from 2001 to 2016, when he became the Children’s Commissioner, where he served for five and a half years.

Justice Becroft was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to the judiciary, children and youth in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours.