The courthouse was due to open for the first time yesterday, but a last-minute decision meant the opening was postponed.
Otago and South Canterbury courts service delivery manager Dave Miller said Maori leaders involved in the planned blessing asked late last week if two kaumatua from Christchurch could also be involved.
The kaumatua were to travel through Dunedin today on their way to another function in Invercargill.
Mr Miller said the ''local court group'' made the decision to postpone the opening so the blessing with kaumatua could happen first.
''The local [Maori] people said they didn't mind if we opened the court on Monday as planned, then had the blessing on Tuesday. But we made the decision to postpone the opening and have the blessing before we commenced the first trial,'' he said.
Consequently, people who were summonsed weeks ago to report for jury service showed up at the High St court yesterday as requested, but were sent home.
Others involved in the scheduled jury trial also arrived and were told to return today.
Mr Miller said there were no costs associated with the trial's delay.
