The building, erected in 1902, was reopened yesterday by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after a $20 million earthquake-strengthening project.
At the ceremonial launch 116 years ago, the city’s legal community posed for a photo on the building’s steps.
Front and centre of that grainy image is the country’s first female lawyer, Ethel Benjamin.
Yesterday that image was re-created, only this time the front steps of the courthouse were not quite spacious enough.
And there were a few more women, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias noted.
She said there was ‘‘a rumour’’ Treasury and the Ministry of Justice initially believed the cost of repairing the Stuart St structure was unjustified.
"There was a realisation that if the historical courthouse was abandoned something precious would be lost for all of us," Dame Sian said.
She and Ms Ardern paid tribute to those in the community — including lawyers, councillors and the Otago Daily Times — whose fought to save the building.
The Prime Minister even noted former minister Amy Adams’ role.
"At select committee meetings, I questioned the minister whether or not this building would be preserved as it should be. She assured me it would, and it has been," she said.
The unveiling of the plaque was her first as Prime Minister, and she said it was an honour to do so.
"[The courthouse] now beats with a new, strong heart and everyone involved should be immensely proud of that," Ms Ardern said.
"You have preserved a taonga and you have also updated it."
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the refurbishment was a feather in the city’s cap and marked its growing reputation as a heritage centre.
"Not everyone can say ‘I’m delighted to appear in court’. This is an exception," he quipped.
Following the morning’s festivities, Mr Cull and Dame Sian led a procession of lawyers and judges — decked out in formal gowns and wigs — from the Dunedin Town Hall down Stuart St, as members of the public watched.
There followed a ceremonial first sitting of the High Court and, with so many present, the overspill had to watch the hearing from another room.
In front of representatives of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and District Court, as well as Queen’s Counsel, lawyers and members of the University of Otago’s law faculty, Dame Sian marvelled at the blend of old and new incorporated in the building’s restoration.
While she acknowledged the law had to adapt to serve the community, "it is also important to hang on to our history".
Her closing remarks gave a nod to the Prime Minister’s comments about her pregnancy.
"[Ms Ardern recently said] ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. It takes a great city to raise and keep a courthouse like this. It takes huge commitment," Dame Sian said.
"I know it’s been a long road and for those who have fought this fight, you’ve done a great job."
The court will begin serving the public on February 5 and court sittings will begin on February 7.
Dunedin Law Courts reopen
How we got here
December, 2011: Initial seismic assessment delivered by Opus to the Ministry of Justice shows parts of building to be high earthquake risk. Initial complete complex strengthening costs estimated at $4 million. Ministry vacates danger areas of building including tower and two courtrooms.
February, 2012: Jury trials moved temporarily to Invercargill.
March, 2012: Opus produces another report estimating tower and external ornamentation strengthening at $2.5 million.
May, 2012: Ministry holds workshop with property staff, engineering consultant companies and Heritage NZ on building’s future. Family and civil registries move to John Wickliffe House.
May, 2013: Lease formally signed for 184 High St as temporary replacement. Ministry announces it is in final stages of getting approval for courthouse strengthening work, which is expected to take two years.
Late 2014: Tonkin and Taylor undertake technical investigations, finding a risk of liquefaction under the foundations of the tower.
May, 2015: Ministry relocates remainder of court services to High St.
July, 2015: University of Otago law alumni plead with Government for the building to be saved.
August, 2015: Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull writes to various ministers expressing council’s concerns and asking for talks. Dunedin Courthouse Taskforce created to push Government to fund restoration.
September, 2015: Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams announces early investigations indicate project cost would be more than $15 million. Taskforce launches online petition to get the public to encourage Government to restore the building.
October, 2015: Save Our Courthouse group starts public postcard campaign directed at Government.
December, 2015: Cabinet announces courthouse will be strengthened, restored and modernised in a more than $15 million project lasting two years.
September, 2016: Building consent approved by the Dunedin City Council shows renovation costs rise to more than $18 million. Dunedin construction company Amalgamated Builders announced as the contract holder for project, which in total will cost about $20 million.
October, 2016: Contractors begin restoration work.
January 26, 2018: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern officially opens building.
February 5, 2018: Court proceedings set to resume.
