Invercargill based lawyer Michael Mika is one of seven new District Court judges appointed today by Attorney-General David Parker. Mr Parker says the appointees replace sitting Judges who have reached retirement age. Judge Mika, who was born in Lower Hutt, Wellington will have jury jurisdiction to be based in Lower Hutt.
The former Samoa Rugby Union player graduated from Otago University, beginning his career with O’Driscoll and Marks Solicitors in Dunedin. He joined Cruickshank Pryde Lawyers in Invercargill and spent four years working for Drew Jones Solicitors in England.
He returned to Invercargill in 2003 and commenced work for Preston Russell as a Crown Prosecutor. He is a director at that firm. Judge Mika will be sworn in on 8 March 2021.
Image credit: Invercargill Licensing Trust