Bob 'Banjo' Patterson started work at Waikune in Norm Kirk's time

One of Bob "Banjo" Paterson's daily jobs at Whanganui Prison was reading all the "incident reports" across the whole site.

"I treated that as a temperature gauge for the prison. Often a number of little incidents could lead to something major," he said.

When Paterson retired on August 31, he was the prison's custodial systems manager. He was farewelled at the Whanganui/Taranaki Corrections district's annual Long Service and Good Conduct Awards on November 9.

Prison manager Reti Pearse said Paterson was the risk manager who "covered his back". He was a consummate professional, meticulous and detailed, laced with integrity. He mentored other staff, and received letters thanking him for making a difference to people's lives.

What meant the most to him was his whānau and moko, who were asked to come forward as he was presented with a refurbished lock from the original Whanganui Prison, built in 1978.

Paterson acknowledged he was a hard taskmaster, but said his job came with huge reputational risks. He praised the management team at Whanganui, saying they liked to think they were the best in the lower North Island.

He started work at the former Waikune Prison in 1973, when he was 20 years old and Norman Kirk was New Zealand's prime minister. He found the eight-hour prison shifts easier than the forestry work he had been doing with heavy machinery in the bush.

"It was like only working half days."

He found he enjoyed the job, and moved to work at Whanganui Prison in 1984. At that time it had 156 inmates - there are now 550.

He rose through the ranks, reaching management level in 1992. He had "a pretty good rapport" with inmates and fellow workers. He was also an astute observer of behaviour, and knew how to adjust tactics to meet any situation.

Things changed a lot during his 45 years. At the start prisoners called the officers "sir" or "boss". These days they are often on first name terms.

Paterson used to have to spend hours reading file after file. Everything is electronic now, he said, and at your fingertips. Officers are expected to load any "incident" straight after it happens.

One of Paterson's worst moments was in the early years, when a prisoner in the high security unit threw scalding water thrown over him. The man just wanted out - and these days he would have other options.

"He was absolutely petrified, and being stood over by gang members. He knew that the best way to get out was to assault someone."

One of Paterson's proudest achievements was setting up Whanganui Prison's At Risk Unit, the second in New Zealand. It was for people at high risk of self-harm, aiming to keep them safe.

During the set-up Paterson was trained by nurses from a Porirua mental health unit. He got an Unsung Hero Award for that work, from Corrections' then Deputy National Commissioner Rachel Leota.