Mark Wilton is married to Annabel, and they have two boys, Henry and Oscar, aged 13 and 11. They moved from Taranaki to Wellington 10 years ago and love the little Khandallah community. They have two ginger cats called Tigger and Archie who have used up all their nine lives (and more) on their busy street. Mark, formerly National Legal Counsel for the Police Prosecution Service based at Police National Headquarters (PNHQ) in Wellington, was sworn in as a coroner in early 2020.
JANZ: Why Wellington?
Mark Wilton: Wellington is such a fabulous place to live as we all love the theatre. We frequently attend Circa productions and most recently were transported back in time to the French Revolution as we watched Les Misérables in the newly renovated St James Theatre. It was particularly exciting for me to be back at the St James as in a past life I sang in several operas on that stage with the New Zealand Opera Company.
So, the secret’s out, I mean you majored in music at Canterbury and are a trained singer, right? Will we hear you at the next conference? What tempted you into courts and away from the stage?
I was not so much tempted away, rather, with a bit of juggling, I was able to appear in court by day and on stage at night, though I did take a thnree-month hiatus when I was working in Taranaki to return to Wellington to perform in Gounod’s Faust as a jailer! Since appointment, I have enjoyed singing with Just Voices (the judicial choir in Wellington). We sang publicly together in Counsel in Concert 2020. It was wonderful to sing in that concert with so many talented lawyers and musicians at the end of a very tough year. Unfortunately, because of the current pandemic level settings, our choir has not reconvened. My fingers are crossed that a comeback tour is not too far away!
How was it being sworn in during Covid?
I was sworn in at level 3, one day before the first 2020 level 4 Covid-19 lockdown. It was such a challenging time for all of us who were appointed at that time. Thankfully, our induction and training proceeded via Zoom meetings. The team involved in the delivery of these sessions had prepared material for face-to-face interaction, however, they were able to adeptly pivot to deliver online learning. The standard of training and support provided in these difficult conditions was totally first rate.
We always ask where you like to travel?
My favourite place to travel in the world is London and, after finishing at Canterbury University in the 1990s, I worked for a London law firm and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I had the good fortune to return with my family in 2019 before the pandemic hit and it was so lovely to reminisce and experience London life again. In the 2010s, I was privileged to have the opportunity to travel to the Pacific Islands to teach advocacy skills to prosecutors. I learned so much from these experiences with wonderful hosts contributing to my professional development whilst I enjoyed their generous hospitality.
My favourite place to visit in New Zealand is the Wairarapa. This is where I was born and schooled, and I still have family who live in Masterton. The Wairarapa is such a friendly and beautiful part of Aotearoa and will always be home to me.
You just know what’s next don’t you. What’s your favourite Wairarapa wine then?
My favourite wine is from a Martinborough vineyard called Devotus, which specialises in pinot noir, which is my preferred grape variety. Not only is their wine fantastic and award-winning, but it is also made by a very good friend. And it goes so very well with my favourite dinner to cook at home, macaroni cheese. The boys love it. I add bacon and cashew nuts to give the dish a bit of glamour.
Best quote?
My favourite quote is by Winston Churchill and is something I really encourage our boys to remember as they journey through life. Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
What’s your secret to a work/life balance in this judging job?
Outside of my job, life is enjoyably busy with family commitments and adventures. For myself, I enjoy running and I have started singing lessons again. I find the regular exercise of my legs and vocal cords helps both my body and mind. I am also enjoying reading the illustrated history of the Treaty of Waitangi by Claudia Orange.
As our newest executive member, why is JANZ important for judicial officers?
I think that the support and connections the Judges Association provides all judicial officers is so valuable, and I particularly appreciated the warm welcome and engagement from the association to me upon my appointment. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the executive committee.