On Monday afternoon, John Bishop’s son Richard prefaced the story of his dad’s life by saying it contained almost every element of the Wilbur Smith novels John enjoyed – rich with romance, adventure and exploration.
John Bishop, right, pictured with Alan Wellington, Laurie Graham and Julie Epps, was delighted with how the first Friends of Resthaven Foundation art sale fundraiser went earlier this month. Photo: Viv Posselt
Speaking at John’s farewell at the Don Rowlands Centre overlooking Lake Karāpiro, he said: “He loved a good book, and Wilbur Smith was a favourite. He wrote almost 50 novels … on every birthday for years, we’d give dad another Wilbur Smith.”
John Bishop’s eight decades were celebrated on Monday. Many there had lives that intersected with his, either through work, community links, local body politics, his love of boats or his ‘hopeless’ fishing ability.
John Bishop
They heard about his early years in England, escapades with a much-loved and ‘devilish’ younger brother William, travels with parents to exotic places, the boys’ penchant for collecting tin soldiers and his love of things ‘Wild West’.
The family came to New Zealand and settled in Christchurch. John, who had picked up a love for horses during the family’s travels, first worked as a shepherd on a country station but soon decided education was what was needed and did a diploma in agriculture at university.
He met and married his first wife Alison in Palmerston North, then his work took them to New Plymouth.
JOHN BISHOP: July 18, 1945 –June 14, 2025
John’s career saw him criss-cross the globe, more than 30 years of it working for chemicals manufacturer Ivon Watkins-Dow, working out of Hong Kong, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand. He settled in Cambridge following Alison’s death in late 1999. He had retired by then but, true to form, didn’t take well to slowing down, so became a Rotarian, enjoyed farming, met his partner Anne and enjoyed travelling again, and found success and joy in breeding and racing thoroughbreds on his Maungatautari property.
He joined Cambridge Rotary in August 2001, became a Paul Harris Fellow in 2012 and took the reins as president in 2022/23. He was known there as ‘Bish’, admired for his wise counsel, clear thinking and ability to think on his feet.
Liz Stolwyk
In 2004, John’s career in local body politics began with his election to the Cambridge Community Board. Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk said he chaired the Board in 2010, giving ‘generously of time and humour’ until 2013. He chaired the parks and reserves committee, the Light-Up committee, and the Le Quesnoy sister town committee.
He joined Waipā District Council in 2013, chairing the strategic planning and policy committee – one of his first projects was the Cambridge swimming pool. John almost retired from local politics in 2016, but a last-minute vacancy arose on the Cambridge Community Board and he stepped forward, thereby saving a costly by-election and serving another three years.
“Many of us believe John had the ‘X’ factor,” she said. “He was an incredibly smart man, he led by example, humour and style.”
Steve Till of Windsor Park Stud knew John for over 25 years and said he had a real passion for horses. “He loved the research, creating genetic backgrounds behind breeding thoroughbreds and on through to racing them.”
The restoration of wetlands was another passion. John became a Board member of Ducks Unlimited NZ in 1995. He resigned the following year when he went to Pakistan, but returned to the Board in 2006, acting as treasurer until his death. He was also a founding member of the Friends of Resthaven Cambridge Foundation where he was known for his work ethic and for being ‘one of the good buggers’.
John was known for his wit and humour, his devotion to family, his love of horses and the wise advice he dished out at length to all and sundry.
New Cambridge Rotary Club president David Partis, left, took over the reins from John Bishop.
