This interview covers the life, jobs and family of the interviewee. John was born in Otatara and moved to Christchurch when his father joined the army, based in Burnham before serving overseas. John returned to Invercargill and he attended Waihopai and Hedgehope Schools and Southland Technical College. He left school to work in a grocers. Then he worked in Sargood's Warehouse, Southland Catchment Board and then joined the police force. He then worked in a carpet warehouse with his father. After his father's death he worked for Strang's Coffee. John then bought the store at Gorge Road. After selling the shop he ran school buses before driving for Kapuka Transport. He then drove buses in Fiordland taking tourists over the Wilmot Pass before buying a dairy. John then bought a business in Nelson before moving back into a transport business. He then worked at a couple of Holiday Parks.