Under the regulations that came into effect in 2026 judges on the Ribbon Parade and Open Show panels who are seeking promotion must be observed at either a Ribbon Parade or an Open Show on at least 2 occasions by an NZDJA Approved Observer, and received 2 favourable reports, before being eligible to apply for promotion to the next panel. For the protocols click here and for the Observation sheet click here.

In addition to this, all judges seeking promotion to a group panel must complete the Intensive Critiquing requirements and be signed off by one of the NZDJA Approved Observers. For the protocols click here, for the Intensive critiquing form click here and for the cover sheet click here.

It is the Trainee Judges responsibility to make contact with the Observer prior to the appointment and make the necessary arrangements. For contact details, go to the Judges listing on the website.

The list of approved NZDJA Approved Observers sorted by their regions are:

Auckland:
Davida Brown
Carolyn Cederman
Stephen Meredith
Shelley Walker

Waikato:
Pam Douglas
Kathleen Hardwick
Giselle Jeannes
Keith Simmons
Linda Strongman
Claire Trevelyan
Sue Chaytor

Bay of Plenty:
Deborah Ninness
Kay O’Carrol
Robyn Williams

Hawkes Bay:
Bronwyn Murdoch
Diane O’Neill

Manawatu:
Rosemary Weaver
John Clark
Denise Clark
Geraldine Gulbransen
Kelly Martin

Wellington / Horowhenua:
Gary Carlton
Lyn Carlton
Caroline Matheson
Kirsten Price
Geoff Whitfield

Marlborough:
Keith Brown
Lavina Diamanti

Canterbury:
Anna Ancell
Lesley Chalmers
Chris Graham
Brian Harris
Louise Harris
Martin Hewitt
Mark Lawrence
Carole Long
Karen McIntyre
Diane Riley
Nigel Trainor
Robynne Trainor
Beth Warman

Otago:
Jan Brownlie
Cathy Wallace

Southland:
John Green