THE way Justice of the Peace services are delivered in Ōtorohanga is changing from next week.
From Wednesday, the JP service desk, a regular clinic where members of the public can meet with a Justice of the Peace, will run at 12-2pm inside Ōtorohanga Support House Whare Awhina.
Previously the local JP service desk operated for an hour every Tuesday and Wednesday.
In Te Kūiti, the JP service desk operates on Tuesdays from 1-2pm at the Community Advice Bureau on Rora St.
North King Country branch president Guy Whittaker – who is a JP in Te Kūiti – said they had the ability to witness documents and affidavits, certify copies and do statutory declarations.
Statutory declarations were commonly involved in KiwiSaver withdrawals and anti-money laundering documentation, Guy said.
JPs are volunteers who don’t charge for their time. No appointment is necessary for the service desk hours.
Guy said the ideal situation was that people who weren’t in a hurry and could make it to the service desk, made use of the time a JP was on duty.
But he said some people had urgent matters or couldn’t make it during the set times, and various local JPs were often available at different hours.
Local JPs and their contact details are available by using the search function on justiceofthepeace.org.nz
Guy suggests preference be given to JPs who are accredited (marked with a green tick on the website) because they have kept up to date with all relevant training.
