KEY POINTS:
In another first for New Zealand women, Justice Lowell Goddard has been appointed to head the Police Complaints Authority.
Justice Goddard, a Wellington-based High Court judge, will replace retiring Judge Ian Borrin at the helm of the police watchdog organisation.
Judge Borrin turns 72 next month, the statutory retirement age for the authority.
In making the appointment on behalf of the Minister of Justice, Winnie Laban said Justice Goddard had considerable experience in the criminal justice system and was well qualified to perform the duties of the authority.
Justice Goddard graduated with a bachelor of laws degree from Auckland University in 1974.
She practised as a barrister and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1988. In 1992 she was appointed Deputy Solicitor-General, before being appointed to the High Court bench in December 1995.
Ms Laban said the Justice Minister intended to advance the Independent Police Complaints Authority Amendment Bill in Parliament this year to expand the authority's membership to three people.
- NZPA
