The Ministry of Justice says it believes it has exhausted all options for settling expired collective employment agreements with unionised staff.
Public Service Association members have taken rolling strike action in recent weeks over their stalled pay talks.
National secretary Richard Wagstaff said courts and tribunals staff were paid an average 6.3 percent less than the rest of the public service, and wanted the differential addressed.
Andrew Hampton, the ministry's general manager, higher courts, said today that "despite our best efforts we believe bargaining is at an end".
"We would welcome the PSA to come forward with new proposals to restart talks, but if not, there is nothing more for us to discuss," he said.
Mr Hampton said that more than 80 percent of staff who met or exceeded performance expectations in the previous financial year would have received a one-off payment.
"On top of that, a pay rise in 2010 would have been enjoyed by nearly 90 percent of staff."
The ministry's offer was fair and affordable, especially in the context of tough economic times, he said.
NZPA is currently waiting for a response from the PSA.
NZPA