Tauranga District Court's newest staff member has chins wagging about his new role.

Louie the District Court Dog even has his own Facebook page and yesterday was introduced to the Minister of Justice Amy Adams.

Louie the Tauranga District Court Dog. Photo: Facebook.

Local MP Simon Bridges and Associate Minister of Justice introduced the pair.

'The minister wanted to see Louie,” Simon says.

'She'd been reading about how dogs are able to help victims of crime, particularly young victims. They help them to stay calm, get rid of the stress.”

Louie is the first ever District Court Dog put on the job in New Zealand and the rather large black Labrador has already been helping a young person give evidence.

'It is well known that animals really help with empathy and stress,” says Simon.

Simon described Louie as an 'incredibly chilled out dude.” He says Louie has the right temperament for the job.

'If it continues to work well, we will be looking at introducing dogs in courts elsewhere,” says Simon.

He says he's proud of the Tauranga District Court for being so 'innovative and ahead of the curve in helping victims of crime”.

Louie is owned and looked after by a court member of staff and does not come to work every day. Only when he is really needed.