Five-year-old courthouse to be expanded

The Manukau court has been constantly criticised since it was opened. Picture / Richard Robinson

An expansion is planned for the Manukau District Court that opened five years ago.

Specialist building consultancy Gaze Commercial has been commissioned to prepare a report on resolving the building's problems.

Rula Alatia, retail design manager at Gaze, said plans for the changes would be drawn up in the next financial year.

The building opened in October 2000 but, within a year, it was being criticised for being too small for major trials, having small jury rooms and poor acoustics, and lacking parking.

Manukau's increasing population has seen more pressure put on the court.

The number of cases and lawyers working there has increased in the past five years and extra space is needed for confidential telephone calls, a library, meeting rooms and areas for lawyers to meet clients.

Manukau Professional Bar Association vice-president Pradeep Singh said this month the building was too small for the number of cases it was handling.