The Oamaru District Court has reduced the time it takes to deal with criminal cases, but Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean would rather see a permanent courthouse in Oamaru.
The time taken by the Oamaru court to process a case now averages 47 days, a 34.5% reduction and one of the New Zealand court system's strongest results.
Mrs Dean said the time reduction achieved was a good result, but maintained her stance the town needs a permanent court, not a portable courtroom and associated facilities it has in Humber St.
The historic 1883 Oamaru courthouse was closed in November 2011, criminal court transferred to Timaru then, from March 2012, came back to the Oamaru Opera House.
In August 2014, it transferred to a porta court, transported from Christchurch, in Humber St, but it was closed on March 9 because of air quality issues and hearings were moved back to the Opera House.
Since the closure of the original courthouse, Mrs Dean has been adamant a permanent venue is needed.
She thanked the court staff and local lawyers for their patience which had been tested over the past few years.
''They continue to work hard to achieve the Government's target of halving the time it takes to deliver justice services. Our courts have a hard earned reputation for fairness and impartiality, but they also need to move cases efficiently through the system.
''However, it is also an opportune time to reaffirm my main focus is on working towards returning our court services to a permanent home,'' Mrs Dean said.
