John grew up in Invercargill and became a paraplegic after an accident in 1964. As a teenager, during a school day trip John fell 100ft down the side of a waterfall at Tuakau. Only 4 years later, John was selected in New Zealand’s very first Paralympic Team competing at the Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games. He competed in Para table tennis. In the singles event John lost his first match in a very close finish 6-11. In the doubles, John played with Paralympian #14 Jim Savage against the French pair and lost 7-9 on the very last head of the match.
John also competed in Para swimming and Bowls in Tel Aviv 1968. In Para swimming, John finished 6th in his heat of the 25m breaststroke.
John was awarded Sportsman of the Year for Southland 1968-1969 after his Paralympic achievements.
Throughout his life, John was a true leader helping disabled people in New Zealand.
In 1977 he was a one term City Councillor in Invercargill. He then lived in Hokitika where he was the local Council Borough Manager. While there he became one of the 6 national presidents who founded the Disabled Persons Assembly.
John became their representative on Rehabilitation International 1986 – 1997 and the world President from 1992 to 1996. He moved with his family to Christchurch in 1989 where he became CEO of the new Banks Peninsula District Council and worked for the Southern Regional Health Authority.
John passed away in 1997, spending the last five years of his life on kidney dialysis.
