Judges Overview
At each and every NZCF sanctioned show, the cats are judged by either New Zealand judges, who are assessed and "licensed" by the NZCF, or by invited overseas judges. New Zealand judges also judge offshore, particularly in Australia and Asia, and they have also judged in North America and Europe on occasions.
New Zealand judges are split into 3 groups, the shorthair panel covering all recognised shorthair breeds, the longhair panel covering all longhair breeds, and all breeds judges who judge both short and longhair cats.
There are a number of panels or gradings. These are:
- Neuter spay panel - judges authorised by the NZCF to judge neuter/spay cats under supervision in New Zealand
- Kitten panel - judges authorised by the NZCF to judge kittens under supervision and neuter/spay cats unsupervised within New Zealand
- Entire panel - judges authorised by the NZCF to judge entire cats under supervision and kittens and neuter/spay cats unsupervised within New Zealand
- Intermediate panel - judges authorised by the NZCF to judge all kittens and cats unsupervised within New Zealand
- Senior panel - judges authorised by the NZCF to judge all kittens and cats unsupervised within New Zealand AND overseas.
- Tutor judges - Senior judges are appointed to this panel at the discretion of the National Executive. The current lists of judges, including their grading, may be found on the links at the top of this page.