Dame Carolyn Henwood

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Background & Qualifications

Dame Carolyn began her legal career in the 1970s as a commercial lawyer before becoming the first female District Court Judge in Wellington in 1985. With 37 years of experience in civil and criminal courts, she holds a strong background in civil litigation.

A Victoria University LLB graduate, she has also completed mediation courses at Harvard Law School. Carolyn is a Criminologist and Youth Court specialist. A founding member of Circa Theatre, she has been instrumental in its development and continues to support artists.

She founded the Theatre Artists Charitable Trust and chairs the Henwood Trust, focusing on youth justice reform. Carolyn led the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service and currently teaches advocacy at the College of Law.

She is known for her creative problem-solving and dedication to social justice.

Career & Experience

1972
Admitted to the Bar Wellington as a Barrister and Solicitor. Employed at Buddle and Anderson Kent & Co.

1972
Employed at Olphert and Bornholdt, General commercial and civil law.

1975 – 1985
Continued at Olphert and Bornholdt becoming a principal in that firm in 1975 until 1985.

1976
Founded Circa theatre with others. Designed unique model for Circa Instrumental in the theatres longevity and success.

1985
Appointed to the District Court Bench in Wellington-Criminal and Civil work. After 1989 also Judge of the Youth Court and liaison Judge for the region.

During that time Chaired a district prisons Board dealing with parole applications and in later years was a convenor of the NewZealand Parole Board for over 10 years.

1987
She established The Theatre Artists Charitable Trust to support practitioners in professional theatre – Trustee 37 years.

1990 – 1995
Led a Victims programme for the Judiciary with Justice Rodney Gallen. She travelled internationally to gain insight into victim’s issues worldwide.

1993
Became engaged with USA women judges and later convened at Women Judges of the World Conference in New Zealand. With over 25 countries attended with special guest President of Ireland Mary Robinson.

1994
Was appointed a member of the International year of the family committee and arranged and convened the significant International year of the family conference in Auckland.

1998
Convened International Youth Justice Conference “Youth Justice in Focus” which led to a ministerial task force for change.

2000
Remained on District Court full-time until 2002 when she retired and took up an acting warrant to sit nationally in NZ District Courts.

2004
Setup Henwood trust – Chair person of the trust designed Te Hurihanga Youth Justice and other significant activities to provide alternative solutions to incarceration for young people.

2002 – 2005
Completed LEADR Mediation course.

2005 Onwards
Deputy Chair Of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School

2005
Founding Chair Queen Margaret College Foundation – 10 years.

2006
Attended Harvard Law School Completed mediation and negotiation Courses – law professor Frank Sanders.

2008 – 2015
Appointed to Chair the Confidential Listening and assistance service.

Listening to people who came forward to talk of their concerns regarding time in State care.

Report and recommendations made to government.

2015 - 2021
Continued sitting in District Court as acting warranted Judge.

Currently 2024
Freelance Mediator

Member Circa Theatre working council – fundraising and managing building development project

Trustee Theatre charitable artists trust

Chair Henwood Trust – community project connected to Rangatahi Courts now underway

Tutor Advocacy College of Law

Honours & Awards

1990
Awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

2002
Appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as a District and Youth Court judge and to the arts, — 2002 Queen's Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours.

2019
Made Distinguished Alumni of Victoria University of Wellington.

2020
Received the Mayoral Significant Contribution to Theatre award at the Wellington Theatre Awards.

2022
Promoted to Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the State, youth and arts at the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours.

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