Milestone for a one-time rousey

This week, pictured with her 30 years' service award, and colleagues Tui Kapa (left), Shane Godinet, Jo Leef and Tash Ritchie.

Kaitaia District Court registrar Tania Parker has had a keen interest in the justice system ever since she sprinted down Jameson Street in pursuit of a nocturnal burglar, who unwisely targeted her flat while she was at home.

She didn't catch him, which was probably just as well for the burglar, but she has gone on to become a doyen of the court system, one of a rapidly disappearing breed.

Ms Parker, who has been officially recognised for 30 years at the Kaitaia District Court, joined the staff as the deputy registrar, succeeding registrar Mike Douglas in 1989 when he moved to Hamilton.

Prior to that she had worked as a wages clerk for the Forest Service at Aupouri, and before that as a shearing gang rousey.

Today she is one of just four court registrars in the country. They don't make them any more - those who rise to her position these days holding the title of deputy registrar.

Earlier this week she reminisced over how things had changed over the last three decades, including the fact that people like probation officer, the late Preston Dixon, police prosecutor Maurie Loveridge and the Northland Age were welcome to smoke in the courtroom while they endured the often interminable wait for the judge to emerge from his chambers, as long as they stood in the general vicinity of a window.

(Judge David McKegg once advised Sergeant Loveridge, who had hurriedly slipped his pipe into his trouser pocket when said judge appeared sooner than expected, that he seemed to have set himself on fire, which he had).

Time had moved on to such a degree that none of her colleagues had ever heard of carbon paper, once consumed in huge quantities, and had had to Google it when asked to order some. And in the early days what is now Corrections was represented by a solitary probation officer.

Kaitaia District Court registrar Tania Parker (top right) with her team about 1989 - Sally Long (top left), Roharia Ngauma and Benita Berghan, in front Yvette Robertson (Parlour), Tony Hayward and Muriel Masters.

The advent of modern technology meant her staff dwindled from seven to four, including a security officer, a relatively recent addition, despite a court schedule that had been inconceivable 30 years ago.

Ms Parker, now known to most as Madam Registrar, celebrated her milestone on Tuesday with a breakfast to which everyone contributed and helped prepare, while two of her colleagues, Tui Kapa and Jo Leef, also celebrated their completion of five years.