This week's Newsmaker is Rotorua coroner Dr Wallace Bain who has regularly spoken out about the need to address the high number of deaths of babies through co-sleeping. This week he released his findings into the death of 17-year-old Bishop Thompson in a jetski accident on Lake Okareka.
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Tell us about yourself:
I was born in Hamilton and went to school there. I studied pharmacy in Wellington and law at Otago, graduating with a first class honours degree in law and I have a doctorate in Medico Pharmacy Law.
My father was a pharmacist and died last December aged 94. He was New Zealand's oldest registered pharmacist. He taught me a love of trout fishing and we came as a family in my early years to the Ngongotaha camping ground for holidays revolving around fishing.
My wife is a pharmacist, has owned and operated pharmacies and we have two adult children, both in Auckland. We have had a holiday home on a lake in Rotorua since 1995 and moved here permanently in 2007.
I practiced law in Hamilton, then Te Kuiti, specialising in later years in medical and pharmaceutical law in New Zealand and overseas.
I spent some time in local body politics, serving as mayor of Waitomo. I especially enjoyed a close relationship with the Maniapoto people and learned a lot from them.
I am a keen sportsman and have a love of trout fishing. In the early 1980s I was co-author of a book on fishing the Tongariro River and Lake Taupo's southern shores. That was a lot of fun to put together and sold 8000 copies.
How long have you been a coroner?
I was appointed coroner for the King Country in 1992 and later took over the Taupo area. In 2007 I was appointed as full-time judge of the Coroner's Court for the wider Bay of Plenty with chambers at the Rotorua Court when the new Coroners Act came into force appointing 15 full-time coroners.
What did you do before becoming a coroner?
I was the senior partner of a law firm and prior to that a pharmacist - I am still registered. I was also executive chairman of two pharmaceutical companies based in Auckland.
What led to you becoming a coroner?
The previous coroner retired and the knowledge of pharmacy and law I have was seen as an excellent mix of skills, so I was appointed.
What is the best part about your job?
I enjoy being able to make a difference to families by using the inquisitorial powers of the Coroner's Court to get to the truth of the matter. I enjoy being a part of this community and speaking to groups, organisations and on marae about my role, educating people about an area not normally spoken about.
I also enjoy the very close links I have established with Maori in this area and working closely with them about cultural aspects of death.