Jim Large was sworn in as judge during a ceremony and mihi whakatau at the Dunedin District Court yesterday afternoon. Judge Large was one of 10 district court judge appointments announced last month.
He will serve in the Palmerston North District Court.
Judge Large has wide ranging legal experience, with extensive work in criminal and family law.
He has served as a youth court advocate, mental health inspector and tenancy adjudicator. Nine fellow judges were among the crowd present to witness the occasion.
Among those to speak were Colin Withnall QC, who praised Judge Large's ''patience and courtesy''.
''You have a knowledge of all kinds of people and how to relate to them and how to understand them,'' he said.
Judge Large said he was looking forward to the challenge.
He said he was humbled by the appointment.
''There will be times when you have to call me `judge','' he said to the crowd.
''I hope the rest of the time you'll call me Jim.''
