Robert Smellie
- December 23, 2025
- 95 years
About Robert Smellie
Robert Smellie, 95, New Zealand jurist, judge of the High Court (1990–2000).
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Full Biography
|Robert Philip Smellie CNZM KC (20 August 1930 – 23 December 2025) was a New Zealand lawyer and judge. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1979, and served as a High Court judge from 1985 until 1998.
Early life and family
Smellie was born in Dunedin on 20 August 1930, the son of Winifred Lilian and Peter Orr Smellie. He was educated at Otago Boys’ High School, and went on to study at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1958.
In 1959, Smellie married Lyndsay Ann Craig, and the couple had three children.
Legal career
Smellie began his legal career with Grierson, Jackson and Partners (later Simpson Grierson). He was appointed Queen's Counsel on 20 August 1979. Between 1982 and 1985, he served as chair of the Equal Opportunities Tribunal. He was appointed to the High Court bench on 18 December 1985.
After retiring from full-time judicial work in 1998, Smellie continued to serve as an acting High Court judge until 2002. He then served as a judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal until 2007.
Honours and awards
In 1990, Smellie was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. On 9 August 1998, he was granted retention of the title The Honourable for life, in recognition of this services as a judge of the High Court. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services as a judge of the High Court.
Death
Smellie died on 23 December 2025 at the age of 95. He had been predeceased by his wife, Lyndsay Smellie, in 2008.
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smellie_(judge)
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Robert Smellie's archived record and the sources above.
1.In what city was Robert Philip Smellie born?
- A.Dunedincorrect
- B.Auckland
- C.Christchurch
- D.Wellington
Robert Philip Smellie was born in Dunedin on 20 August 1930.
Source: Early life and family
2.What degree did Robert Philip Smellie earn from the University of Auckland in 1958?
- A.Bachelor of Lawscorrect
- B.Master of Laws
- C.Bachelor of Arts
- D.Doctor of Philosophy
Robert Philip Smellie studied at the University of Auckland and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1958.
Source: Early life and family
3.Who was Robert Philip Smellie's spouse?
- A.Elizabeth Brown
- B.Winifred Lilian
- C.Margaret Smith
- D.Lyndsay Ann Craigcorrect
In 1959, Robert Philip Smellie married Lyndsay Ann Craig.
Source: Early life and family
4.In what year was Robert Philip Smellie appointed as Queen's Counsel?
- A.1985
- B.1990
- C.1970
- D.1979correct
Robert Philip Smellie was appointed Queen's Counsel on 20 August 1979.
Source: Legal career
5.Which organization did Robert Philip Smellie serve as chair of between 1982 and 1985?
- A.The Fiji Court of Appeal
- B.The Equal Opportunities Tribunalcorrect
- C.The High Court
- D.Simpson Grierson
Robert Philip Smellie served as chair of the Equal Opportunities Tribunal between 1982 and 1985.
Source: Legal career
6.On what date was Robert Philip Smellie appointed to the High Court bench?
- A.20 August 1990
- B.9 August 1998
- C.23 December 2000
- D.18 December 1985correct
Robert Philip Smellie was appointed to the High Court bench on 18 December 1985.
Source: Legal career
7.What title was Robert Philip Smellie granted for life on 9 August 1998?
- A.The Honourablecorrect
- B.Judge Emeritus
- C.Knight Bachelor
- D.Queen's Counsel Emeritus
On 9 August 1998, Robert Philip Smellie was granted retention of the title The Honourable for life.
Source: Honours and awards
8.Until what year did Robert Philip Smellie serve as a judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal?
- A.2010
- B.2000
- C.2002
- D.2007correct
Robert Philip Smellie served as a judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal until 2007.
Source: Legal career
9.In what year did Robert Philip Smellie receive the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal?
- A.1990correct
- B.1998
- C.2000
- D.1985
In 1990, Robert Philip Smellie was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
Source: Honours and awards
10.What honor was Robert Philip Smellie appointed as in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours?
- A.Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- B.Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- C.Companion of the New Zealand Order of Meritcorrect
- D.Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Robert Philip Smellie was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Source: Honours and awards
11.How many children did Robert Philip Smellie and his wife have?
- A.Threecorrect
- B.Four
- C.Five
- D.Two
Robert Philip Smellie and his wife had three children.
Source: Early life and family
12.At what age did Robert Philip Smellie pass away?
- A.98
- B.85
- C.95correct
- D.90
Robert Philip Smellie died on 23 December 2025 at the age of 95.
Source: Death
13.What was the name of the law firm where Robert Philip Smellie began his legal career?
- A.Smellie and Partners
- B.Grierson, Jackson and Partnerscorrect
- C.Simpson Grierson
- D.Jackson and Associates
Robert Philip Smellie began his legal career with Grierson, Jackson and Partners.
Source: Legal career
14.In what year did Robert Philip Smellie's wife, Lyndsay Smellie, pass away?
- A.2005
- B.2008correct
- C.2000
- D.2010
Robert Philip Smellie had been predeceased by his wife, Lyndsay Smellie, in 2008.
Source: Death
15.Which secondary school did Robert Philip Smellie attend?
- A.Wellington College
- B.Otago Boys’ High Schoolcorrect
- C.Christchurch Boys' High School
- D.Auckland Grammar School
Robert Philip Smellie was educated at Otago Boys’ High School.
Source: Early life and family
16.After retiring from full-time judicial work in 1998, until what year did Robert Philip Smellie serve as an acting High Court judge?
- A.2007
- B.2005
- C.2002correct
- D.2000
After retiring from full-time judicial work in 1998, Robert Philip Smellie continued to serve as an acting High Court judge until 2002.
Source: Legal career
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