Attorney-General Margaret Wilson today announced the appointment of Louis Bidois of Rotorua as a District Court Judge. Judge Bidois, 42, will sit in New Plymouth.

Mr Bidois’s tribal affiliation is to Te Arawa. He was admitted to the bar in 1983 and since 1987 has been a partner in Chadwick Bidois, until recently managing their Tauranga office.

After a period of general practice following admission he began specialising in criminal work, and has appeared regularly in the Youth Court, District Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal. He has been a Youth Advocate for more than 10 years.

Judge Bidois has a strong interest in Maori culture and has held several positions of responsibility on Maori Trusts and for clubs and marae, including a period of 17 years as treasurer of the Awahou Marae.

The new Judge will be sworn in on July 5 in Rotorua.