Wickens

[2021] NZHC 736

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA ROHE

NO. D. 431/74

[2021] NZHC 736

APPLICATION BY

MICHELLE WICKENS for access to court

file (in Divorce No D431/74)

On the papers
Judgment:	1 April 2021

JUDGMENT OF MALLON J

(Addendum)

[1]I refer to my judgment in this matter dated 12 March 2021.1

[2]        Ms Wickens has subsequently provided further details. As to the relevance of the file to her research, she reiterates that the file came up in an Archives New Zealand search for her father and she is curious as to what his involvement was. She says she does not intend to publish the information as such, but may share it with her three brothers and her two children. She says both her parents died in 2018 and there is no one left on her father’s side to ask, as his only sibling is also deceased.

[3]        I consider that this information, particularly the last point, is sufficient to shift the balance somewhat. As there is no other way to find out the information and she does not intend to publish the information, I consider there to be good reason to allow the applicant to access the file.

[4]        Being mindful that the primary parties in the file are not her father and their families and other parties referred to in the file have not been heard on this and are entitled to some privacy, I permit Ms Wickens to examine parts of the file, without taking copies, that will provide her with the information relevant to her request. The

1      Re Wickens [2021] NZHC 500.

Re Wickens [2021] NZHC 736 [1 April 2021].

information is not to be published without seeking permission from the Court, but may be shared with her immediate family members.

[5]        Ms Wickens is to contact the Court on or after the week of 12 April 2021 to arrange a time to inspect the relevant documents that will be compiled for her from the file.

Mallon J