Gisborne, Dec 2 NZPA - A crowd gathered today at a small Eastern Bay of Plenty marae to celebrate one of their own, Frances Eivers, becoming a judge.

About 400 of her whanau, friends and colleagues watched as she swore allegiance to the Queen and vowed to apply the law "without fear or favour", at Te Teko's Kokohinau Marae, about 21km southwest of Whakatane.

Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier gave her a warrant signed by the governor-general and attorney-general, allowing her to act as a district court judge with a special warrant to sit in the Family Court.

The special marae court session ceremony was a Family Court and Eastern Bay first.

Judge Eivers, 50, dedicated the day to her parents.

She told the crowd she had been asked many times recently how a girl from Te Teko could come so far.

"But I don't see that journey as unusual. Any child from this area, with the right support and education, can achieve this."

Judge Boshier said Judge Eivers was in many ways "the ideal modern judge".

"Because of your heritage, you enhance and enrich our bench. If we are truly to represent New Zealand, then it is people of your heritage we must attract."

Crown prosecutor Greg Hollister-Jones said his former employee was known for her work on complicated cases, and remembered as a great boss when she ran her practice in Whakatane.

"Your career has not been marked by the glamour and glitz of high profile cases, but has been marked by difficult cases.

"We know you will bring aroha to your courtroom, along with steely resolve and a great sense of humour."