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Meet Our Guest Speaker
About Judge Tony Fitzgerald
Judge Tony Fitzgerald served as the presiding judge of Te Kōti o Timatanga Hou - The Court of New Beginnings, since its inception in 2010 until 2025. His leadership, compassion and belief in second chances have shaped the Court and the lives of many who have passed through it.
The Court has helped people experiencing homelessness move toward stability, accountability and hope. As one graduate of the Court's programme said, "It's given me stability, it's given me a home. It's given me a second chance. I just truthfully thought I would've ended up in jail and it's also given me the courage to keep pushing forward."
Rather than focusing solely on punishment, the Court recognises that lasting change happens when people are supported to address the underlying causes of their circumstances. “Without doubt... I have learned the greatest lesson a judge could ever learn from that work — everyone deserves a chance.”
You can read stories and testimonials of graduates from the Court in the articles below.
