Peter Boshier

• Lawyer
• judge

Judge Peter Boshier
Boshier in 2024
8th Chief Ombudsman
In office 10 December 2015 –28 March 2025

Peter Francis Boshier (born 16 March 1952) is a New Zealand lawyer and judge. He served as the principal judge of the Family Court from 2004 to 2012. He was Chief Ombudsman from 10 December 2015 until 28 March 2025.

Biography

Boshier was born in Gisborne on 16 March 1952. ^{[1] [2]} He was educated at Gisborne Boys' High School, ^[3] and went on to study at Victoria University of Wellington, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree in 1975. ^[1]

Boshier practised law in Wellington, and his judicial career began in 1988 when he was appointed a District Court judge, specialising in family court matters. ^[1] He was appointed principal Family Court judge on 3 May 2004, and remained in that role until 10 December 2012, when he became an acting Family Court judge for a two-year term. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

In July 2012, Boshier was appointed to the Law Commssion for a five-year term. ^[7] He left that role early, in December 2015, having been appointed to a five-year term as Chief Ombudsman. ^{[8] [9]} He was reappointed for a second five-year term in 2020. ^[10] He resigned on 16 March 2024 at the statutory retirement age of 72, ^[2] but was asked to stay on until a replacement was found. He was succeeded by John Allen in March 2025.

Boshier was president of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts in the United States from July 2015 to July 2016, the first New Zealander in this role. ^[11] He was also active in the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), serving as the Australasia and Pacific regional president in 2019, and as second vice-president of the IOI in 2022. ^[12]

Honours and awards

In 2009, Boshier received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Victoria University of Wellington. ^[13]

References

1. "Peter Boshier". Dwell Housing Trust. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
2. Dexter, Giles (12 March 2024). "Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier forced to resign due to age-limit law". RNZ News . Retrieved 13 March 2024.
3. Wikaire-Lewis, Mana (8 April 2023). "Chief Ombudsman to visit weather-stricken regions next week". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
4. "The job that never loses its appeal" (PDF). Victorious. 16 May 2016. p. 34. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
5. "Principal Family Court Judge appointed". New Zealand Gazette . No. 49. 6 May 2004. p. 1240. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
6. "Acting Family Court Judge appointed". New Zealand Gazette . No. 101. 23 August 2012. p. 2819. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
7. "New appointment to Law Commission". The Beehive. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
8. "My Wellington: Ombudsman strums up city's 'special flavour'". Stuff . 7 February 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
9. "Appointment of Ombudsman". New Zealand Gazette . No. 135. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
10. "Reappointment of Ombudsman". New Zealand Gazette . 11 June 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
11. "The Chief Ombudsman talks to John about his love for the Pacific, Family Court stories, and how he came to empathise with victims". Newstalk ZB . 19 February 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
12. "Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand elected second vice-president". International Ombudsman Institute . 31 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
13. "Previous recipients". Victoria University of Wellington . 27 September 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2024.

Government offices
Preceded by Beverley Wakem	New Zealand Chief Ombudsman 2015–2024	Succeeded by John Allen
Legal offices
Preceded by Patrick Mahony	Principal Family Court Judge 2004–2012	Succeeded by Laurence Ryan