Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell is calling on the Government to 'get moving” with the city's new courthouse development.

Initially set for completion in 2026, the project was put 'under review” after inflationary cost pressures post Covid-19.

The $150 million courthouse, so far, has cost taxpayers about $27 million, but a business case has yet to be made.

Uffindell suggests Justice Minister Kiri Allan expects the business case for the project to be made before the end of the financial year – March 31, 2024.

'Tauranga is paying the price for this government's failure to control inflation.”

'At present, the city's justice precinct faces significant constraints and is unable to deal with the huge volume of cases.

'Since 2018, Tauranga District Court jury trials have doubled and Tauranga High Court jury trials have quadrupled.

'In 2021, then-Minister Faafoi announced over $150 million had been approved to build new courts here in Tauranga. If built, it will increase the number of courtrooms, allowing cases to be heard here in Tauranga instead of being shifted to Rotorua.

Uffindell also says completion of the new courthouse by 2026 is 'looking about as likely as Auckland Light Rail by 2021”.

'There are very real fears this Government will significantly delay or downsize construction.”

The Ministry of Justice expects a business case for the new courthouse to be presented to Cabinet later this year. Photo: File/SunLive.

Ministry of Justice deputy secretary, corporate and digital services Tina Wakefield says they expect a detailed business case to be presented to Cabinet 'around the middle of this year”.

On whether the project will be completed by 2026, Tina says the estimated completion date 'will depend” on the outcome of the business case and the option chosen by Cabinet.

She says she is 'aware” Tauranga's current courthouse is 'too small” to meet future demand, particularly with the High Court.

'This is one of the reasons the project to build a new courthouse in Tauranga was started,” says Tina.

'The buildings will also address the safety needs of all court participants, including victims, be more family-friendly, and meet physical accessibility requirements for all building users.”

SunLive also put the question to the Ministry of Justice on whether the construction will be downsized.

'Like all construction projects, costs associated with the new courthouse have significantly increased due to inflation and supply constraints.

'Within this significantly increasing cost environment, the Ministry is reviewing the approach to the new courthouse.”

Acting Justice Minister Andrew Little. Photo: Samuel Rillstone/RNZ.

Acting Justice Minister Andrew Little also acknowledges the limitations of Tauranga's current courthouse.

'It's clear the current courthouse is too small to accommodate future demand, and has a number of other challenges that mean it cannot be used to its full potential. These are all reasons why the project to build a new courthouse in Tauranga was started,” says Little.

'A detailed business case will be presented to Cabinet later this year, and the future shape of this project will depend on the outcome of that business case and the option chosen by Cabinet.

'We remain committed to a courthouse in Tauranga that is fit for purpose for Tauranga and meets contemporary expectations.”