24 March 2005

New Zealand Parole Board Chair appointed

Attorney-General Michael Cullen today announced the appointment of retiring Chief District Court Judge David Carruthers as the next Chairperson of the New Zealand Parole Board.

Chief Judge Carruthers will take over as head of the Parole Board from Hon Justice Anthony Ellis, who completes his term of appointment on 30 June.

Chief Judge Carruthers was appointed to the District Court Bench in 1985. He was subsequently appointed as the Principal Youth Court Judge in 1996 and the Chief District Court Judge in June 2001. Prior to that he was in partnership in a Pahiatua law firm for 20 years and practised for a further two years on his own account in Palmerston North.

"Chief Judge Carruthers will bring to the position strong legal and administrative skills," Dr Cullen said.

Dr Cullen also paid tribute to the contribution made by Justice Ellis as the first Chairperson of the restructured Parole Board as established under the Parole Act 2002.

ENDS

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