Open Justice: Court reporting has improved with NZME’s funded programme but more is needed – David Harvey

Opinion byDavid HarveyNZ Herald·8 Nov, 2026 02:00 AM7 mins to readDavid Harvey is a retired District Court judgeOpen courts mean little if the public cannot understand the cases. Image / DepositphotosOpen courts mean little if the public cannot understand the cases. Image / DepositphotosReporting the business of the courts is a core duty of the Fourth Estate. Open justice depends on the press acting for a public that cannot be in the courtroom. As one United States judge put it, the media functions as a surrogate of the public. New Zealand’s courts, the