Recently the minister visited the Invercargill, Gore and Dunedin district courts
to introduce herself, look at the courts and check the state of the buildings.
While at the Gore District Court (GDC) she said she had been impressed by the staff and the benefits the court provided to the community.
"Gore is in a good place. Nearly $1 million has been spent refurbishing the building.
"We went from one staff member originally, to three there now. With 500 cases sitting on their books, helping out the other districts and other regions, I can’t see there being a need to close it at all," Ms McKee said.
"I think it’s very valued here and it’s quite needed."
Replacing the court’s boiler is being looked at, she said.
Recent investment of $850,000 on building renovations indicated the GDC would not suffer a fate similar to the Balclutha District Court, she said.
— Ben Andrews
