A special domestic violence court has been held for the first time in South Auckland to combat overwhelming numbers of family violence cases.

Manukau police say there has been a huge increase in the number of domestic incidents reported. Now it is hoped a new family violence court in Manukau will allow those cases to be given a more efficient hearing.

Reports of domestic violence in South Auckland increased in 2004 and in December dozens more cases were reported than the average of recent years.
 
"In South Auckland we have a lot of family violence as a very big slice of our criminal work," says Judge John Adams.
 
With that in mind a new intiative has been set up in Manukau to deal specifically with family violence. It will bring together the family and criminal courts.

"By having it in a specialised court we're going to be able to use more intelligent processes, the court will have a different feel about it," says Adams.

Around 50 cases were heard in the court on Thursday and they are hoping to get through around 30 a week.

One of the goals for the Manukau District Court with the new intiative is to move family violence cases through the system much faster, making it easier and less stressful for the families involved.

And without a delay it is hoped fewer women will give up while waiting for their case to be heard.

"The criminal courts are dealing with murders and rapes and so family violence doesn't necessarily seem as serious, this is an excellent intiative that I'm hoping will be very very positive because New Zealand has a shocking domestic violence problem," says South Auckland lawyer Catriona MacLellan.

A similar scheme has been operating successfully in West Auckland for several years and legal experts hope this one will shows the rest of the country it is an initiative worth taking on.