01/10/2026
John Hughes used to say that studying law taught him one thing: that turning a childhood hobby into a career is the ultimate privilege. He spent the next five decades proving it.
We're deeply saddened to share that John has passed away. As founder of Martin Hughes Associates, he helped define the look of some of New Zealand's most recognisable interiors, including the ASB Bank tower, Fay Richwhite and Lion Nathan's head offices.
It was that same eye for beauty that led him to start Designsource. Genuinely interesting materials were hard to come by in New Zealand at the time, so John began sourcing and importing his own finds from his travels, and brought Sue on board to head up the new venture. Together they spent decades travelling to trade fairs and workshops across the globe, from Verona to Manila to Mumbai, always chasing the fabrics, stone and wall coverings that others walked past.
He restored a derelict Georgian villa in Freemans Bay long before heritage restoration was fashionable, and his love of Māori art helped bring the landmark Te Māori exhibition home to New Zealand.
Impeccably dressed, endlessly curious and always ready with a story: that was John. He will be dearly missed.
Our love to his family and everyone who knew him.
