Whangārei is Northland's court centre. The Whangārei District Court (Whangārei-terenga-parāoa) at 105–109 Bank Street handles first appearances, bail, sentencing and most criminal trials for the region, with the Family Court hearing separation, care of children, property and protection orders. The High Court at Whangārei, in the same building, takes the most serious cases — category 4 offences such as murder and manslaughter. The wider North is served by District Court sittings including Kaitāia and Kaikohe. Free help is established: Taitokerau Community Law (Whare Āwhina) advises Northlanders who cannot afford a lawyer, a duty lawyer is at the District Court every sitting day for first appearances, legal aid funds ongoing defence for those who qualify, and the Police Detention Legal Assistance scheme provides a free lawyer by phone, any hour, to anyone detained.
Criminal Law in Whangārei
Northland charges start at the Whangārei District Court at 105–109 Bank Street (or Kaitāia and Kaikohe for their districts) — first appearance, bail, most trials — with category 4 offences at the High Court in the same building. National law applies: the Crimes Act 1961 and the Criminal Procedure Act 2011's categories decide court and process, and police must advise you of your rights and the free custody lawyer under s 23 of the Bill of Rights.
A duty lawyer is at the Whangārei court every sitting day for first appearances, criminal legal aid funds serious defence, and the free Police Detention Legal Assistance lawyer is a phone call away at any hour in custody. Call the free line before any interview or plea — process, penalties and exits, in plain English. Speak to a lawyer about a criminal law matter → Family Law in Whangārei
Separation, care of children, relationship property and protection orders for the North run through the Family Court at Whangārei. National rules decide: equal sharing after 3 years together, the child's welfare paramount, without-notice protection orders often granted within 24 to 48 hours — and the 12-month property clock after a divorce.
Taitokerau Community Law (Whare Āwhina) provides free advice for those who qualify, and Family Dispute Resolution mediation is the gateway for most parenting disputes. Distance is no barrier to the first step: the free line answers any hour, from anywhere in the North. Speak to a lawyer about a family law matter → Drink Driving & Traffic in Whangārei
Drink-driving charges from Northland's long roads are heard at the local District Court. National limits: 250 micrograms of breath alcohol for drivers 20 and over, zero under 20, infringement to 400 micrograms, criminal above it — mandatory minimum 6-month disqualification on conviction, and the immediate 28-day roadside suspension over 650.
In a region where driving is non-negotiable, the disqualification is the real sentence. The free line explains where your reading lands and whether a limited "work" licence is realistic — before the first court date. Speak to a lawyer about a drink driving & traffic matter → Tenancy & Renting in Whangārei
Northland renting disputes — bonds, repairs, notices, healthy homes standards — run under the Residential Tenancies Act to the Tenancy Tribunal, which can decide claims up to $100,000. Since 30 January 2025 landlords can end periodic tenancies on 90 days' notice without cause (42 days on specific grounds), tenants on 21 days — and since 1 December 2025, pets can only be refused on reasonable grounds, with pet bonds capped at two weeks' rent.
Bond disputes are won on evidence: the entry report and dated photos. The free line explains the rules for whichever side of the tenancy you're on, any hour. Speak to a lawyer about a tenancy & renting matter → Whangārei Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Whangārei are:
Whangārei District Court (Whangārei-terenga-parāoa)
105–109 Bank Street — first appearances, bail, sentencing and most criminal trials for Northland, with Family Court jurisdiction for separation, care of children, property and protection orders.
High Court at Whangārei
Same building — the most serious (category 4) charges such as murder and manslaughter, and serious jury trials.
Kaitāia & Kaikohe District Courts
Serving the Far North and mid-North — your charge sheet or summons names the venue for your matter.
What to Do Right Now
1
Check which court your paperwork names — Northland matters are listed at Whangārei, Kaitāia or Kaikohe, and the venue governs.
2
Record what happened while it is fresh — dates, times, readings, names — and keep every document together.
3
Avoid irreversible moves — guessed pleas, contact with complainants, social-media commentary.
4
Call 0800 461 100 free, any hour, for plain-English legal information — and book a NZ$295 (GST inclusive) consultation with a New Zealand lawyer right on the call if you want one.
Whangārei Legal Questions
Which court hears my Northland matter?
Your charge sheet or summons names it — the Whangārei District Court at 105–109 Bank Street for most of the region, Kaitāia and Kaikohe for their districts, with the High Court at Whangārei (same building) for the most serious criminal cases.
Can I get free legal help in Whangārei?
Yes — Legal Hotline's line is free, 24/7, on 0800 461 100. Taitokerau Community Law advises people who cannot afford a lawyer, a duty lawyer is at the District Court every sitting day, legal aid funds serious defence, and the Police Detention Legal Assistance scheme provides a free phone lawyer to anyone detained, any hour.
How do I get a Northland lawyer quickly?
Call 0800 461 100, free, any hour — immediate legal information first, then a one-hour consultation with a New Zealand lawyer (NZ$295, GST inclusive) bookable right on the call.
Are you a Whangārei law firm?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm — the free line provides general legal information, not legal advice, and creates no lawyer-client relationship. When you want advice, we connect you with a New Zealand lawyer for a fixed-fee consultation. Northland lawyers can join through our For Lawyers page.