ROYAL OCCASION: Back row (from left) incoming Wairarapa JP council president Peter Debney, Royal Federation vice president Graeme Kitto, Royal Federation president Greg Weake, Southern region representative Bill Saxton, Royal Federation immediate past president Kevin Geddes and outgoing Wairarapa JP president John Bunny. Front: Northern region representative Racheal O'Grady, Central region representative Denise Hutchins and Auckland region representative Pat Samson.PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Wairarapa Justice of the Peace council president John Bunny has stepped down from the position after a "thoroughly enjoyed" two-year term.
Mr Bunny handed over the reigns to unsuccessful Masterton District Council candidate Peter Debney at the recent Wairarapa JPs annual general meeting at the Copthorne Hotel, in Masterton.
Mr
Bunny, who was appointed as a JP in 2007, moved up the ranks from vice president, to senior vice president, to president. He now assumes the position of immediate past president.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed being the president and I'm happy to hand over the reigns and for Peter to carry on the work," he said.
JPs have ministerial and judicial powers, such as witnessing documents and taking declarations. Specially trained JPs can sit in the District Court to hear minor traffic and some summary offences.