The Public Service Association Union and the Ministry of Justice are squabbling again, but this time it is not over pay conditions for court staff.
A tussle has erupted between the two parties about whether the groups are still technically negotiating.
Protests took place outside Tauranga's courthouse on Cameron Road last week after pay talks between the two parties broke down.

More scenes like this outside Tauranga's courthouse are likely as the Ministry of Justice and PSA union fight over whether the two parties are still negotiating.

Since then, the Ministry of Justice has stated that negotiations have ended and new proposals from the PSA are needed before negotiations can restart.
But PSA union national secretary Richard Wagstaff says the organisation has written to the Ministry of Justice to tell them that negotiations for a fair pay settlement are not over.
'We've told the ministry that it can't unilaterally call off the negotiations.
'The bargaining process agreements we have with the ministry state that both parties have to agree before negotiations are formally ended,” says Richard.
Richard says more surprise strikes by PSA members at Tauranga's courthouse will continue until the pay dispute is resolved.
He believes the industrial action is causing significant disruption at Tauranga's courthouse and at other courts across New Zealand.