Judge at centre of court controversy goes on leave

Roy Wade. Photo / Kenny Rodger

A judge whose private emails about the dysfunctional Manukau District Court were made public last week has gone on leave and been replaced by the Chief District Court Judge.

The Herald understands Manukau District Court Judge Roy Wade was expected in court yesterday morning, but a court official told staff shortly before court began that Judge Johnson would be appearing in his place.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman yesterday said he was taking annual leave that he was "entitled to" and would return next week.

Until then, Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson would be sitting in the Manukau District Court.

The spokesman said the chief judge was also visiting the court as part of his "administrative duties".

In the emails given to the Herald, Judge Wade wrote he "just about lost the plot with some of the useless staff we seem to have" and referred to the court as "Mickey Mouse Manukau mayhem".

As a result, sources said some court staff were unhappy at the prospect of working with the judge but have been told not to speak publicly about it.

The emails were written to lawyer Kirsten Giles earlier this year. Ms Giles said neither she nor Judge Wade authorised their release and believed her computer had been hacked.

Tony Fisher, the ministry's general manager of district courts, said the ministry hadn't been asked to investigate the alleged hacking.