Bronson Blackbourn has a unique claim to fame.
There’s only one 22-year-old in Aotearoa who can add Justice of the Peace (JP) as a qualification on his resume.
Sworn in in June 2022 at the age of 21, Executive Assistant Bronson Blackbourn has the distinction of being Aotearoa’s youngest JP.
Being a JP is a voluntary position and you are “on call 24x7”, Bronson says.
So, what made him decide to take the plunge at such a young age?
Helping the community is a big part of his why.
“There is always a feel-good element when you’re able to help people and make administrative bureaucracy as smooth as possible.”
Growing up in a small town, the local JP was the port of call for a number of reasons, helping people sort stuff out “without having to travel into the city” he says.
“I always thought that was pretty cool, being able to help people like that.”
The idea solidified when he started working for then Labour MP David Clark, processing applications for prospective JPs.
“Speaking to a few JPs, who echoed my thinking and believed me capable of the job, was the final deciding point to putting in my application.”
This started a year-long process from nomination to training and being sworn in by a District Court Judge. While the process takes its time he says, it’s not too daunting.
And as with any professional service, there is on-going training, Bronson says.
“It is a way to show the community that we are committed to excellence and ensuring that JPs are up-to-date in their knowledge.”
Bronson at his swearing in ceremony in June 2022, seen here with Judge Emma Smith.
As a ministerial JP he can help people in several ways from witnessing and certifying documents to taking oaths and declarations, he says.
“There’s a whole range of things you wouldn’t expect your average Joe Blogs can do.
“That said, we are well trained and supported in the work we do.”
Bronson has recently taken on additional duties as Registrar of the Otago Justices of the Peace Association after spending the past year on the Association’s council.
“I oversee the administration of the Association and its council and liaise with the Royal Federation of NZ Justices' Associations, our overarching governing body.”
In the long term, he is keen to look into the possibility of becoming a Judicial JP, he says. But for now, he is looking forward to supporting students and staff in the new year, joining the roster for providing JP services at the Central Library AskOtago desk.
Bronson says his distinction as Aotearoa’s youngest JP is ‘different, yet exciting’ and while he’s still the youngest at the moment, he hopes someone else will come along soon to take up the mantle.
“We’re really looking to diversify the pool of JPs to reflect and represent the communities we work with,” he says.
“It will be wonderful to have more young people appointed to the service.”
He encourages more youth to “give it a go”.
“It is a very rewarding role to have.”
~ Kōrero by Sandra French, Adviser, Internal Communications
The JP kit – a sturdy case to carry various stamps, a Bible for taking oaths, pens, ink pads for finger printing, a JP manual, guides, an aide-memoire and a notebook for recording work completed.