Obit: John Sutherland in NZ (1942-2026)

Subject: Obit: John Sutherland in NZ
From: GUEST,Little Robyn
Date: 02 Feb 26 - 10:52 PM

One of New Zealand's folk treasures, John Sutherland, has passed away.

His Obit says "Born 24 January 1942 in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, died 27 January 2026. Loving and cherished husband of Susan for more than 50 years. John passed away peacefully, at his home.

He emigrated to New Zealand in the mid 1960s and settled in Auckland where, from 1966-1967, he served as Titirangi Folk Club’s inaugural President. He also ran Devonport Folk Club in the early days. He was a great performer, a proponent of the Blues, playing harmonica and guitar. He eventually moved to the Wellington region where he was a founding member of the Mainly Acoustic Music Club in Upper Hutt.

During the club’s 60th Anniversary celebrations last year, John and Susan were awarded Life Memberships of the Titirangi Folk club, which honour our current President, Noel Armstrong and the then-acting Secretary, Jeanette MacDonald, presented on visiting them. They received these awards with much pleasure and pride.

The funeral is at Whenua Tapu, Wellington, on the 9th February at 2pm.

Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: John Sutherland in NZ (1942-2026)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Feb 26 - 10:24 AM

I was sorry to read that John Sutherland has died at the age of 83. As it says on the Internet, he was a notable figure in New Zealand Folk Music and made a wonderful contribution to its development and continued enjoyment. I would like to send my condolences to all those who know and love him. I have entered his name in the "In Memoriam" thread. RIP John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Sutherland in NZ (1942-2026)
From: GUEST,Little Robyn
Date: 13 Feb 26 - 03:11 PM

Thank you. The funeral was like a folk reunion - people I hadn't seen for about 50 years as well as others like Jacko who had come all the way from Hamilton. If it hadn't been such a sad occasion, it would have been a happy gathering. At one point the celebrant asked how many of the people sitting there were involved with music and apart from the family up the front, most of the rest of us put our hands up! John had motor neurone disease, so in a way it was a happy release for him as he was unable to play music or sing any more. But it's sad to lose such talent.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: John Sutherland in NZ (1942-2026)
From: GUEST,Peter Herring
Date: 20 Mar 26 - 05:50 AM

My heart goes out to Susan, Daniel, Angus and Reuben. I have just heard of John's passing and was shocked, not only by his death but the fact that he sent me an Email over a year ago, informing me of his terminal illness and indicating he only had a couple of months to live. I replied saying how much I valued his friendship, since the days when I was an Engineer Cadet with the New Zealand Shipping Co. We met in 1966 and I had just started playing guitar (sort of playing Jansch & Renbourn stuff) and he invited me to play at his Devonport Folk Club. He also introduced me to Bruce King in Christchurch - another amazingly talented guy, sadly missed.
I last saw John & Susan when they visited around 2012 during their UK/European tour and I was pleased to introduce them to my eldest son, Chris, who is an accomplished guitarist and luthier (see Herring_Instruments on YT, Instagram etc.). We had a nice session and I desperately wanted to learn John's version of "City of New Orleans", but never cracked it! I have John's CD, so perhaps I'll try again!
Chris was able to find the video of the funeral service, which was so moving and appropriate - a fitting send off for a wonderful man, musician, husband and father!

RIP John - may you continue playing with the angels!