Taxpayers stung almost $2000 for taxis to judges’ Northern Club Christmas bash
Friday, 14 February 2025
Judges claimed almost $2000 for taxi fares to and from a Christmas party where Winston Peters and other members of NZ First were “verbally attacked”.
The Post revealed district court judge Ema Aitken apologised after she and her husband David Galler gatecrashed a private New Zealand First event.
They were attending an end-of-year bash for judges at Auckland’s exclusive Northern Club. Aitken is now facing a judicial conduct panel over the incident.
Now figures released to The Post under the Official Information Act reveal taxpayers forked out for 19 trips by taxi to and from the bash, totalling $1941.91. Fifteen judges submitted the claims.
Other “substantive costs” for the function were met by the judges, a spokesperson for the Chief District Court Judge’s Chambers said.
The expenses are within the rules.
The Red Book — which details terms and conditions for the District Court Judiciary’s engagement — says: “A judge and accompanying spouse/partner will be refunded the cost of taxis used to attend functions where attendance of the judge is in relation to his or her capacity as a judge.”
Aitken and Galler, an intensive care specialist and star of TV programme Middlemore, were attending the judges’ function when they overheard Peters making a speech to a fundraiser being held in a different suite.
In an incident report compiled by a barrister for NZ First and the Northern Club, it was alleged Aitken tried to enter the room and shouted: “He’s lying! How can you let him say that?”
Galler was also accused of blocking Peters’ exit as he left the event, and saying: “You’re doing a shit job in government,” and verbally attacking minister Casey Costello and party secretary Holly Howard.
It’s also alleged Galler asked a staff member, of Indian heritage: “Since when did we start allowing Indians to enter this club?”
In a statement to The Post, Galler said it was a “totally false assertion that comments I made that evening were racist or intended to be racist. I unequivocally reject any suggestion to that effect”.
Galler apologised to the club. Aitken and Chief Judge Heemi Taumaunu, on behalf of the court, also apologised to NZ First.
In her letter to the party NZ, Aitken said her comments were “rude, uncalled for and inappropriate” but claimed she was unaware Peters was speaking.
“My intrusion would have been inappropriate at any event, but at an event such as this, it is all the more regrettable,” she wrote.
A video clip from the party also shows prominent barrister, Michael Reed KC, refusing to stop taking photographs of NZ First guests, including Shane Jones’ wife Dot, despite strict club rules.
Attorney-General Judith Collins said she was “really disgusted” at the “very serious” behaviour, which took place on November 22.
She, and a member of the public, complained to Alan Ritchie, the Judicial Conduct Commissioner (JCC).
Ritchie had already initiated a “preliminary examination” and last month recommended Collins appoint a panel to investigate Aitken.
Collins delegated that decision to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith.