Sir Thomas responds with some amusement: "Why do people ask me to do these things?"
For his part, he accepts because the work is interesting and "it's nice to be occupied".
Others will point to his vast legal experience and past high office equipping him for what he does now.
New Zealand Law Society executive director Alan Ritchie says all retired judges are sought after for their experience in weighing up evidence and coming to decisions.
Mr Ritchie remembers working with Sir Thomas in the early 1980s when he was an "excellent" law society president and already at the forefront of his profession.
Former colleagues may not want to speak on the record but Sir Thomas has been lauded over the years for his wisdom, dedication, passion for justice, fearlessness and humanity.
Yes, some people have found him a bit crusty and pedantic. He stands no nonsense but wins respect for his intelligence, perception, independent mindedness and ability to focus absolutely on the task in hand.
Sir Thomas does not shy away from controversy and somehow manages to write reports on complicated and technical matters that are easy to read.
He rates his post as Chief Justice of New Zealand, from 1989 to 1999, as the greatest challenge and highest honour of his distinguished career.
Where to now? "I might just sink into total obscurity," he says unconvincingly.
Meantime: "I've got a nice sea view, lots of books to read, music to listen to and walks to go on."
Sir Thomas Eichelbaum's full report
