More Info →Grant Smith Part 1, Early years and working in the legal profession - Manawatu Conversations

Description: Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 7th January 2025. Part 1 of 2. One of twin boys. Mother was very ill so cared for by Plunket in Whanganui and returned to his mother six months later. Went to West End School New Plymouth and was told that his interests lay outside the classroom. Went to New Plymouth Boys High School. Did history, maths and accounting. Played rugby, Enjoyed school. Worked in the magistrates court in New Plymouth for four years then transferred to supreme court in Auckland as a clerk. Became registrar of Feilding magistrates court. Two sons born in Feilding. Promoted to registrar of the court at Oamaru and was warden of the mining court. Spent four years there and had two more sons. Promoted to Hawera where he was responsible for the Hawera and Patea courts. Ran a hotel for four months. Promoted to Invercargill court as registrar. Responsible for the high court. Spent seven years in Invercargill then promoted as registrar in Wellington district court for ten years. Was made redundant in 1996 after 35 years in the job. Got a job as a bursar in a school in the Hutt Valley for six months. Went to Australia initially for six months but got a job with the New Zealand passport and citizenship office in Sydney for six years then worked in legal aid. Returned to New Zealand when he was sixty and worked in Work and Income collecting debt for three years.