A pioneer paediatrician in New Zealand Geoffrey Bruton SWEET (1.9.1870-17.5.1939) MB ChM (Sydney 1893).

Paediatrics as a specialty was slow to emerge in New Zealand where Geoffrey Bruton Sweet was a pioneer full-time paediatrician from 1907 to 1939. Although there had been appointments as paediatric lecturers to the Otago Medical School, the early appointees were not restricted to paediatric practice. Dr Sweet, an Australian graduate, came to New Zealand and made a major contribution to the development of pathology services before embarking on a career devoted to paediatrics. He was a powerful advocate for children, well read and interested in clinical research, and realised the need to communicate with those directly involved in the care of children. For New Zealand, he was a man ahead of his time.