New Year Honours: Patrick Mahony

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Judge Patrick Mahony's goal for more than 20 years has been to reduce violence within families.

In that time, he has shared public despair over cases where children have been injured or killed. But he says optimism that people can change - and do change - has kept him working conscientiously in the Family Court since its inception in 1981.

"I think we are making progress and domestic violence is becoming less and less acceptable in the minds of the public," he says.

"Domestic violence is now regarded as a social issue and public interest in it is high. It's not a private matter - it's out in the open."

Judge Mahony's services to the Family Court, of which he has been chief judge since 1985, have earned him appointment as a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The Wellington father of five was closely involved in work leading to the Domestic Violence Act. This gave the Family Court extended powers in 1995 to grant orders to protect victims of domestic violence.

In 1996, he set up the Family Violence Taskforce.

"I think New Zealand perhaps more than any country has made a determined effort to deal with domestic violence," he says.

He has been encouraged by a trend for people not to wait for a Family Court order to attend programmes that cater for violent people, victims and children.

"The number of self-referrals show people are willing to deal with violence issues and also enhance their ability to be good parents for the future."

Part of the court's job, he says, is to help families move through the crisis of splitting up - a time when parents go through a great deal of personal pain.

"We have to help people forward and put the past behind them."

Judge Mahony says he is pleased so many couples use the court's strong counselling service as the first step to resolving family differences without formal court intervention.

About 11,000 couples refer themselves before starting court proceedings and another 4000 to 5000 couples are referred in the course of proceedings.

Judge Mahony believes the Law Commission's review of the Family Court will lead to a new system of mediation, better information for parents before they get into court and help for children to understand what is happening to mum and dad.

Judge Mahony plans to retire in May and spend more time with his wife, Shirley, travelling within New Zealand.