STAYING POWER: Michael Batchelor admits he drifted into the profession, has had a good career and now feels he has done his dash. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER
Tauranga's longest-serving lawyer has closed his last file and is heading into retirement after 61 years in the profession.
Michael Batchelor, a consultant at Lyon O'Neale Arnold, admits he drifted into the profession.
He started his career in 1958 at Sharp Tudhope Lawyers and spent his whole working life in Tauranga after completing law school at Auckland University.
"I'd never heard of the Bay of Plenty, but it sounded like a nice place so I applied for an interview."
But his interview for his first position was more of a test of courage and resilience, he said.
A large bottle of whisky was placed in front of the young man.
"It was a long, hard night but I must have passed the test because I got the job.
"I think they were testing me to see how I performed - in vino veritas."
The next day, he went to Mount Maunganui and spent the day in the sun, body surfing and relaxing - it was a deal breaker.
He remained with the firm for the next 40 years, becoming a partner in the 1960s.
At the beginning of his career, he acted for Tauranga's local authorities, including Tauranga Borough Council, Tauranga Harbour Board, Tauranga Hospital Board and Tauranga Electric Board.
"The senior partner trained me to work in local authority law and I went on to spend about 25 years, mainly working for the council in their progression from borough, to district and then to city.
"Local authority law became my speciality."
In that time, a number of major developments involving the council took place.
The absorption of Greerton, local government re-organisation in 1989, residential development at Matua peninsula, the Waikareao expressway (now Takitimu Drive), a new sewage scheme and later the effluent ponds at Rangataua and the first harbour bridge were all significant projects in which Mr Batchelor was heavily involved as the council's solicitor.
He had special cause to remember the signing of the contract for the construction of the first bridge linking Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
Negotiations on behalf of the council over the Waikareao expressway reclamation brought Mr Batchelor into contact with the Ngai Tamarawaho people at Judea.
When the 150th anniversary of Tiriti o Waitangi came in 1990, Mr Batchelor signed up as a kaihoe (paddler) on the waka Takitimu.
"We practised here for months beforehand. There was a crew of about 60 paddlers and kaumatua as I recall. It was amazing - one of the best weeks of my life."
He joined Lyon O'Neale Arnold in 2002 - undertaking mostly sub-divisional work, conveyancing and trust estate law, while continuing a strong involvement in the Maori land arena.
In the past 18 months, he has been "winding down'' by working part-time.
"I've had an interesting life. I made many good friends over the years, through cricket and sailing and,of course, in my various roles as a lawyer," he said.
"I've done a lot of really interesting things - offshore races to the Pacific Islands and with a crew from the Tauranga Yacht Club racing in the Cowes regatta and Fastnet race off Britain and in the Clipper Cup Regatta in Hawaii.
"I spent time on the Bay of Plenty District Law Society and the ethics committee of the New Zealand Society where I came into contact with some of New Zealand's best lawyers.
"I've travelled to some strange places too. I went up to the western reaches of China, places like Kashgar and Urumchi, to Uzbekistan in central Asia and right up towards the Arctic in the Russian Far East. I've always had an interest in out-of-the-way places and have been lucky to have experienced all that.
"But as for the law, I feel I've done my dash. I've had a good career and I have never wanted to live and work anywhere else but Tauranga."
Doug Lyon, director of Lyon O'Neale Arnold, said he was sorry Mr Batchelor was leaving the firm after 12 years.
He said Mr Batchelor had a strong affinity to Maori and Maori land issues but spent many years as a city lawyer and facilitated much growth of Tauranga city.
"He was a true old school lawyer, he could turn his hand to anything. Court in the morning while back in the office in the afternoon and work across all boards."
He had a strong personality, was loved by his clients and was well respected by his colleagues, he said.
"They are some big shoes to fill."