Bessie Sutherland: A Different Kind of Librarian. Bessie Sutherland was born in Featherston into a family who farmed at Hinakura. She spent her childhood on the Hinakura farm and attended Hinakura School before the family moved to Masterton, where she completed her schooling at St Matthew’s.
She went on to earn a BA in Geography at Victoria University of Wellington, then travelled overseas before returning to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship. Her first role was at the National Library, followed by positions at Parliament’s General Assembly Library, a second stint at the National Library providing userpays business services, and later the Marsden School Library.
Bessie’s final role was with Parliamentary Services, where the Parliamentary Library offered a unique window into a very different kind of librarianship. The library’s historic reading room, with its wood panelling and leather sofas, contrasts sharply with the highspeed research centre that supports MPs and government agencies. Around 7000 information requests are processed each year, with librarians providing research and collection services for MPs, their staff, departments and, by appointment, the public.
After fifty years in Wellington and apartment living, Bessie chose to settle in Martinborough, moving in 2025. In the early 1990s, her family took ownership of the Hinakura Schoolhouse, located on a small piece of the original farm. The building was later moved to the Martinborough School campus and is still used as a weekender for friends and her three children. Bessie enjoys maintaining the grounds, finding it a peaceful contrast to her busy professional life.
Following the passing of the Equal Pay Amendment Bill in May 2025 and her retirement, Bessie was invited by Marilyn Waring to assist with research for a report on the likely impact of the new Act on pay equity claims. Hearings were held with groups adversely affected by the legislation, mainly women, and the findings were released earlier this year.
Bessie is active in the community, belonging to the Ladies Midweek Tennis Club, doing Pilates, and volunteering at The Social Crust.
Bessie is active in the community, belonging to the Ladies Midweek Tennis Club, doing Pilates, and volunteering at The Social Crust. Bessie also assists with organising archives at the Martinborough Museum and enjoys discussing local history with Mate Higginson. Bessie loves the quieter pace of life in Martinborough.
