This isn’t easy to write …but here goes… So many tributes, so many memories, so much respect – so much sadness but so much love for John.
I was so proud of him for getting his QSM award in the New Year’s Honour’s List. I can think of no one who deserved it more than John. He was 10 years younger than my Dad. I remember him telling me how he grew up in Whangarei and descendant from Waipu Nova Scotian stock in Whangarei and enjoyed being a keen show rider and hunter.
and enjoyed being a keen show rider and hunter.
I recall being told that his early career was in education and I can imagine him being a very successful young teacher, initially at Sunnybrae Normal – a demonstration school at North Shore Teachers College. During this time, I think he took a year off to complete his BA at Auckland University. He then spent two years as a teacher recruitment officer visiting schools to persuade year13s to go teaching.
I know how important politics have been to him, since he was a teenager. I know he was proud of being a National MP for Whangarei from six years until 1981.
In 1989, he created the Ponsonby Community Newsletter, which he ran until 2004. This local publication was much loved by the locals who looked forward to getting a copy each month. The publication helped to connect residents with businesses, and to promote local issues. Encouraged and supported from the start by Catherine Hawley, Chair of the Western Bays Community Board, John was acknowledged with a ‘Good Citizen’ Award.
I know he’s worked closely with the Waitemata Local Board since its inception. Several years back they also awarded him with a ‘Lifetime Good Citizen’ Award. John was a good listener – I‘ve been a publisher for over 30 years and in my time I can never recall any journalist who would share their copy with the person being interviewed. None the less John always got clearance – he never wanted to upset people – getting his facts right was important to both of us.
In June 2007, his conservation work was awarded a ‘Certificate of Gratitude’ from the Tiritiri Matangi Island board for his work on the island helping to plant 300,000 native trees to encourage native birds. This work has helped bring one of the world’s rarest ducks – the Brown teal duck to the island. Tuatara, Kokako and Wetas are also living in this pristine environment. The island was sprayed to get rid of rats and he and Finn became guides to show visitors around this wildlife sanctuary.
John never played party politics but he took issues on their merits. Over my time I’ve seen him chair events to get good debate on local issues. He has long been an impartial chair of local meetings, including issues with Auckland Transport over parking and bus stops in Grey Lynn.
More recently I’ve enjoyed the numerous editorials and opinion pieces in Ponsonby News on making Auckland spray free. We have campaigned hard to eliminate the carcinogenic glyphosate from our berms, parks, reserves and streets. John assisted me with this and with other local issues, including transport, education and housing.
We were always looked forward to editorial meetings - John would arrive – we’d have a cuppa and maybe a slice to eat. We enjoyed music – watching the odd Youtube video, having a gossip discussing the important issues – and a sense of creating community pushed us on.
We both had a vision to create an urban wildlife sanctuary in Western Springs, with natives planted to replace the pines whose life has come to an end, and predators eliminated. John always strongly supported the 2050 predator-free NZ campaign.
I took over his business in 2004 and he helped me enormously for years and continued to be an important part of the business. He was always a great source of ideas and contacts. John knew many of the local businesses well and everyone I encounter all love him. As do Jay and I.
Big hugs to John’s Family – his loving wife Cait, sons - Theo, Finn, Troy, Matthew, and their families and to John's many friends and acquaintances. Good bye dear John – you’ve been a great mentor – you’ve been a much loved friend to Jay and I - I will miss your reasoning, your love for people and your love for Ponsonby.
Kia Kaha and blessings to you…We will remember you in our hearts and minds forever…
MARTIN LEACH, Editor & Publisher, Ponsonby News
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