Invercargill lawyer Michael Mika has been sworn in as a new District Court judge in front of a court room packed by family and friends.

Judge Mika is one of seven new District Court judges announced by Attorney-General David Parker recently.

The former Preston Russell law firm partner will work from the district court in Lower Hutt, where he was raised.

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Judge Mika specialised in litigation and family law. 

The former professional rugby player played in two World Cups for Manu Samoa. 

The Otago University graduate beginning his law career with O’Driscoll and Marks Solicitors in Dunedin and then with Cruickshank Pryde Lawyers in Invercargill.

After four years working for Drew Jones Solicitors in England he returned to Invercargill in 2003 to work for Preston Russell as a crown prosecutor. 

He and his wife Jane are the parents of son Jacob.

Judge Mika will relinquish his community roles as deputy chair of the Invercargill Licensing Trust, a trustee of the Murihiku Maori and Pasifika Cultural Trust, mentor in the FYD Project K programme and Chairman of the James Hargest College Rugby Club.