In this edition of Te mohio ki a koe; Getting to know you, we’re lucky enough to speak with newly appointed judges, and power couple, Belinda Sellars and Stephen Bonnar about all the things that make them tick.
JANZ: Tell us about you and your family and why you live where you live?
BLS: I was living a carefree bachelorette life with a miniature dachshund who liked to frequent cafes and go shopping when I first met Steve, courtesy of matchmaker Ron Mansfield. Despite our differences, and my allergy to children, we hit it off and the rest is history. I eventually became evil stepmother to three children, now aged 18, 21, and 23.
SJB: My parents emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand when I was three years old. I was brought up in South Auckland (as was Belinda). I’ve lived in Grey Lynn since 1988 when my late wife and I bought our first house. [Belinda and I now] live in a renovated classic villa in Grey Lynn with the 21-year-old — we’ve not quite yet achieved an empty nest. Grey Lynn has a lovely vibe — relaxed and a bit eccentric, but central and with good cafes.
Any pets or animals?
BLS: After my beloved mini dachsund passed away, Steve declared he didn’t want another ****** small dog, so we now have a monstrous 40kg dobermann called Louis — he is much more sooky and obedient than the sausage ever was.
How did you come to study law?
BLS: There was a certain inevitability, as my grandfather, father, and uncle were in the business and I thought if they could do it so could I.
SJB: I had no lawyers in my family, but I was keen to do law and, in particular, litigation from around sixth form. I like a good argument.
How was it first being appointed to the bench?
BLS: Very odd — I felt like Kermit the Frog with a spotlight on me
SJB: Same for me. I found our (joint) swearing in surprisingly emotional, but also surprisingly nice.
What interests do/did you enjoy outside of your job?
BLS: Steve seems to think I like to shop far too much. I also like cooking, reading, hanging out with the monster dog, and going to the gym. As much as we can, we like to head to Mangawhai Heads.
SJB: Family and friends, food and wine, travel (when possible), fishing, and golf (when we get to the beach).
What’s been your absolute favourite place to travel (locally or abroad)?
BLS: My mother was Vietnamese but most of her family ended up in Paris — Paris and Vietnam are firm faves for me.
SJB: I also love Vietnam. One of my oldest friends has his own law firm in Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City, so, somewhat surprisingly given Belinda’s heritage, I have spent quite a bit more time there than she has. I also particularly love the Amalfi Coast and Greece. Given the current lack of international travel, Mangawhai and Central Otago are also firm favourites.
What fictional character do you relate to the most?
BLS: Elizabeth Bennett — I plead guilty to paying too much heed to first impressions.
SJB: I wish I could say Mr Darcy (a la Colin Firth) … but I can’t.
What’s the best purchase you’ve ever made?
BLS: That’s too hard to answer for a shoe and handbag addict!
SJB: Probably my present car (I love it) and my previous boat. I have to confess I also like good quality shoes.
What’s your favourite dish to cook at home?
BLS: There is an ongoing joke in our house that if I make something nice I will never make it again. I go through phases but I have a few regulars. A perfectly roasted chicken is hard to beat. I am having fun practising Noel Sainsbury’s canneles — have not got anywhere near his level yet though.
SJB: I tend to be the BBQ master, but I think I do make a mean risotto (if I say so myself).
What’s your favourite quote, and who’s it from?
BLS: “‘I see,’ said the blind man to his deaf dog,” from Mr Page my Latin teacher — a few submissions I have been hearing have made me think that (have not yet said it aloud in court).
SJB: I always dreamed of saying to a judge what Paul Newman’s character Frank Galvin says to the judge trying his case in the 1982 movie, The Verdict. It’s something along the lines of, “If you’re going to try my case for me, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lose it!” Unfortunately, I never had the cajones.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read or seen lately?
BLS: I’m a bit obsessed at the moment with Call My Agent – a comedy series about talent agents, which is sooooo French, but it doesn’t quite make up for not being able to travel.
SJB: I’m currently reading The Sympathiser by Viet Thanh Nguyen, which I’m enjoying. I also recently read the last of Hillary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell novels – I do like that period of English history.
What’s your go-to morning cafe order, and which cafe do you frequent the most?
BLS: I like my coffee (small strong latte) from Neighbour in Grey Lynn or the hole in the wall by the big hole in the ground on the corner of Kingston Street near the Ak DC. The sage eggs from Nikau in Wellington are one of my favourite things in the world.
SJB: A small strong trim flat white. Same places as Belinda has mentioned. Nikau in Wellington also does a good kedgeree.
What’s your best wine and why?
BLS: Pink Champagne — it never fails to cheer anyone up at any time.
SJB: any good chardonnay or pinot noir — I particularly like Felton Road pinots.
Why do you think it’s important for judges to know and support each other?
BLS: I have found the support and helpfulness of other judges absolutely amazing. After so long down in the bear pit with counsel, it feels rather lonely on the bench and it is so good to have others to talk to.
SJB: I agree with that. While there is great collegiality at the criminal bar there is also, inherently, competition between barristers. I have found the collegiality and support of my new judicial colleagues (across all benches and jurisdiction) to be fantastic. I just don’t think it would be possible to come up to speed with this job and survive in it for any extended period of time without that support.
How’s it being a newly appointed judge?
BLS: So far so good.
SJB: The first few weeks, particularly in the list courts, were a shock to the system and made me realise just how relatively sedate my life at the bar had been! But apart from that it has been a great transition (although I must confess to missing the ability to step out of the office whenever I wanted to catch up with mates for coffee).