some in the union movement. He was vindicated in this regard when the party later turned its back on Rogernomics following the governments defeat in 1990 election. Sutherland supported Helen Clark's leadership coup bid after the 1993 election and, in perhaps his most outspoken moment, called on disgruntled MPs to "pull their heads in" and listen to rank-and-file members who wanted an end to Labour's internal bickering. He retained that electorate until it was abolished in the 1996 election, when he successfully contested the reconstituted Christchurch East electorate. He opted not to be placed on Labour's 1996 party list. He retired from politics at the 1999 election. When announcing his retirement he said he wanted to look for new career directions and spend more time with his family and also reaffirmed his opposition to Rogernomics stating "I hope we are now at a turning point in New Zealand history where the absolute waste and stupidity of free market ideology is coming under scrutiny". Sutherland's most notable incident as an MP was a late night escapade where he swam a length of the parliamentary swimming pool whilst wearing National Prime Minister Jenny Shipley's togs. While a shock to the public, he was renowned around Parliament by colleagues as a prankster and possessing an active sense of humour. From 1990 to 1993 he was Labour's spokesperson for Consumer Affairs and Civil Defense and spokesperson for Family Affairs from 1996 to 1999. Sutherland did not hold any ministerial portfolios, but became Labour's Junior Whip in 1993. He was noted among his colleagues as a hard worker behind the scenes as junior whip, contributing much to party unity through a time of frequent rifts. Later life and death After leaving politics, he went into business as owner of a video store. He had always been a technology enthusiast and liked to possess state of the art stereo and television equipment. Sutherland died suddenly in Christchurch on 21 June 2005, aged 54. He was survived by wife Verna, son David, daughter Christine and one grandchild. Notes References |- New Zealand Labour Party MPs 1951 births 2005 deaths New Zealand MPs for Christchurch electorates Burials at Ruru Lawn Cemetery Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives 20th-century New Zealand politicians 21st-century New Zealand politicians People educated at Lincoln High School, New Zealand