Age: 57
Married to Lyn, with three adult children
Joined the Justice Department in Hamilton on January 6, 1969, as a cadet
After three years' training, transferred to the Auckland District Court in 1972 where he worked in the Family Court
1974, promoted to relieving officer South Island based in Christchurch
May 1977, appointed deputy registrar small claims in Rotorua
August 1982, appointed registrar in Oamaru
Peter Bond had been working in the Family Court at the Auckland District Court for only a short time when the student riot happened in 1972.
Germaine Greer appeared in court on an obscene language charge and Tim Shadbolt was chased around Auckland and arrested for letting down the tyres on a police "paddy wagon".
It was a rude awakening for a young man who had left the "country town" of Hamilton to move to big city Auckland.
"I wondered what the hell I had struck," he recalled.
Now registrar and manager of the Oamaru District Court, Mr Bond (57) marked 40 years this week working in the justice system.
He could also recall seeing former prime minister the late David Lange, in pre-political days, working as a legal aid lawyer in court and wearing an old black suit.
While Mr Bond might have worked for the same organisation for four decades, the job had "completely changed" over the years, and computerisation had had a major effect.
While the courthouse is closed until Monday, Mr Bond was at work on Wednesday dealing with two arrest matters, a breach of bail conditions, a variation of bail conditions and an arrest on a warrant.
He started work in Oamaru in 1982, moving south with his wife, Lyn, and young family to give their children a good education in a safe community.
Anthony is now a police officer in Dunedin, Christopher is producer of Simon Barnett and Gary McCormick's breakfast show on MoreFM in Christchurch, and Kimberley is studying physiotherapy.
Mr Bond was grateful for the support of his wife, who works at Waitaki Boys High School, saying he would not have stayed in the job for 40 years without that support.
He was very proud of the historic Oamaru courthouse which he said was one of the few courts in the country that "actually looks like a court".
Renovations several years ago had enhanced what was "really a marvellous old building".
There was once a suggestion the Oamaru office would be closed and it would become a satellite court and he was thankful that had not happened.
The courthouse's centennial celebrations were held on May 7, 1983, and marked with a special court sitting attended by about 100 guests, including district court judges and special guest Justice Peter Mahon.
Some very serious crimes, including murder, had been dealt with in the court - "we've had our moments here" - and it seemed something "large or different or unusual" occurred in the district about every five years, he said.
Mr Bond tried to help people through the system and, with very few exceptions, most people one-on-one were very good, he said.
He was grateful for the assistance of long-serving staff members Shona Morris, who has worked at the court for 22 years, and Pam Whyte.
A recent innovation is a programme aimed at reducing drink-driving in the Waitaki district.
It might be tried nationally if a six-month trial proves successful.
Before sentencing, drink-drivers appearing in the Oamaru District Court view a DVD containing footage from television programme Police 10-7, as well as locally filmed incidents.
Mr Bond viewed the DVD and found it "very moving".
"I just hope the people that come before the court and view it are affected in a similar way," he said.
Outside of work, Mr Bond would like to have more time to play golf and he is also a civil celebrant, conducting between six and 10 weddings a year.
One that stood out in his mind was the marriage of artist Donna Demente and Jeff Mitchell which had an "Owl and Pussycat" theme.
"It was just lovely. It was unique and different and that's what I want people to have for their weddings."
