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Richard (Pat) Suggate, geoscientist
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DescriptionWith sadness I note the passing of geologist Richard Patrick (Pat) Suggate on 16 June in Wellington, aged 94.
Pat was regarded as one of New Zealand's most distinguished geoscientists. In 1947 he started his career in the Greymouth office of the Geological Survey DSIR during a time of national power shortages. There was pressure to increase coal production, and he was sent to investigate the Reefton coalfield, of which produced a geological map and book.
His work included the extent and deposits of past glaciations on the West Coast, and the formation of coal from peat.
In his assessment of coal resources of the Murchison area, Pat concluded that it lacked workable coal seams, and his report was used by the government of the day as an excuse to discontinue work on the Nelson-Murchison railway. Appointed Director of the New Zealand Geological Survey in 1974, Pat received the premier award of the Geological Society of New Zealand in 2001 for his map showing glacial advances near Hokitika.
Pat was a member of the Greymouth Repertory Society. One of his sons married Christine Tucker, daughter of Doug and Audrey Tucker, formerly of Kilgour Rd, Greymouth. I was lucky enough to have Pat as my boss when I joined the NZGS. I have pleasant memories of having beer with him on his birthday (St Patrick’s Day).
Pat and his wife Daphne’s family holidays often centred around geological fieldwork. I joined him once when we were all on holiday in Greymouth in the 1980s. We were mapping river terraces between Greymouth and Hokitika. Pat noted mileages from the passenger’s seat of his car while Daphne drove, and I sat in the back seat noting elevations taken from an aneroid barometer.
The photo below shows Pat and Daphne outside the Mt Greenland mine buildings near Ross.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1940 and 31st December 1949Map[1] ContributorMiles Reay
Pat was regarded as one of New Zealand's most distinguished geoscientists. In 1947 he started his career in the Greymouth office of the Geological Survey DSIR during a time of national power shortages. There was pressure to increase coal production, and he was sent to investigate the Reefton coalfield, of which produced a geological map and book.
His work included the extent and deposits of past glaciations on the West Coast, and the formation of coal from peat.
In his assessment of coal resources of the Murchison area, Pat concluded that it lacked workable coal seams, and his report was used by the government of the day as an excuse to discontinue work on the Nelson-Murchison railway. Appointed Director of the New Zealand Geological Survey in 1974, Pat received the premier award of the Geological Society of New Zealand in 2001 for his map showing glacial advances near Hokitika.
Pat was a member of the Greymouth Repertory Society. One of his sons married Christine Tucker, daughter of Doug and Audrey Tucker, formerly of Kilgour Rd, Greymouth. I was lucky enough to have Pat as my boss when I joined the NZGS. I have pleasant memories of having beer with him on his birthday (St Patrick’s Day).
Pat and his wife Daphne’s family holidays often centred around geological fieldwork. I joined him once when we were all on holiday in Greymouth in the 1980s. We were mapping river terraces between Greymouth and Hokitika. Pat noted mileages from the passenger’s seat of his car while Daphne drove, and I sat in the back seat noting elevations taken from an aneroid barometer.
The photo below shows Pat and Daphne outside the Mt Greenland mine buildings near Ross.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1940 and 31st December 1949Map[1] ContributorMiles Reay
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CommentsThe photo below shows Pat and Daphne outside the Mt Greenland mine buildings near Ross.
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25Heather Newby, Maye Dunn and 23 others
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Don Hutton
Don Hutton Miles Reay I think I may have taught one of Pat's sons at Shirley Intermediate c.1963. A very capable boy.
Like · Reply · 1 · June 27 at 1:11pm
Carrol Hunter
Carrol Hunter i had Mr Williams there in 1963 .He was the best teacher i ever had .It was a good school and i enjoyed every day
Like · Reply · 2 · June 27 at 8:20pm
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Carroll, I was appointed to SIS in 1963. Taught in Room 10 for about 5 years. Along with Dave Johnson who also taught there I flatted in a house in Avonside Drive owned by your teacher John Williams who lived next door. He was a really great colleague and landlord. I believe that SIS was the school where I learnt most about teaching skills and classroom management. I guess you and I could name a few names at SIS!
Like · Reply · 2 · June 29 at 8:51am · Edited
Carrol Hunter
Carrol Hunter Yes he was an old school teacher who taught us well .We all liked him and he had full control over the class but also made learning fun
Like · Reply · 20 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Whoops. Spelling! Carol with one l. Sorry!
Like · Reply · 9 hrs
Carrol Hunter
Carrol Hunter Don Hutton haha, i get all sorts of spelling ,I answer to any !
Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Carrol Hunter The headmaster was Harry Rankin. Had a bit of a scary look about him because of a war wound but was an absolutely first class man and very supportive of young teachers like I was in them thar distant days!
Like · Reply · 8 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
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Miles Reay
Miles Reay Could very well have been Don. Pat was in the NZGS ChCh office after he left Greymouth.
Like · Reply · 2 · June 27 at 4:47pm
Don Hutton
Don Hutton I think he was Richard. He was in the brightest class I ever taught. Note that it was Shirley not Fendalton or Ilam or Kirkwood or one of the top socio-economic areas!!
Like · Reply · 2 · June 27 at 5:57pm · Edited
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby thanks Miles. That was really interesting.
Like · Reply · 1 · June 28 at 11:45pm
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby I guess u lived in Marsden Rd. Christine Tucker was in my class @ school.
Like · Reply · 1 · June 28 at 11:48pm
Miles Reay
Miles Reay Yes Marion, I assume your father was Wilf?
Like · Reply · 1 · June 29 at 12:22pm
Don Hutton
Don Hutton All the best people lived in Marsden Road!
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
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Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Yes, that's right.
Like · Reply · 23 hrs
Miles Reay
Miles Reay Your mum was a great friend of my Mum's. I used to go down to your house to water your Dad's tomatoes when you were away on holiday.
Like · Reply · 6 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
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Bill Johnsen
Bill Johnsen Good obit in Press today....
Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs · Edited
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Are u Snow's son? 2 houses from Ida St?
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Right on! I think your place was further up on the same side on the curve. Near neighbours were the Hazeldines?
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby U were across the road from Miles Reay! Yes we were next to Hazeldines. I forget what Snow taught, ?woodwork
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Never! Social Studies & Geography but mainly young people.
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Choose File
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Or maybe something more significant but retired but the tim
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby time
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby I got to school. Sorry my keyboard is sticky.
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Sadly he died in 1965 of motor neurone disease. Did you have older siblings? Perhaps one about the same vintage as my sister Jocelyn?
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Well look what u started Miles! It's hilarious! Would Pat Suggate approve/condone/endorse? I remember the original seed of this thread. And what's underlying was his passion but dealing with what's on the surface can't be ignored. Modern skills. M
Like · Reply · 2 · 17 hrs
Suzanne Trukawka
Suzanne Trukawka Good article .Thanks for sharing
Like
Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry
Comment
25Heather Newby, Maye Dunn and 23 others
Comments
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Miles Reay I think I may have taught one of Pat's sons at Shirley Intermediate c.1963. A very capable boy.
Like · Reply · 1 · June 27 at 1:11pm
Carrol Hunter
Carrol Hunter i had Mr Williams there in 1963 .He was the best teacher i ever had .It was a good school and i enjoyed every day
Like · Reply · 2 · June 27 at 8:20pm
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Carroll, I was appointed to SIS in 1963. Taught in Room 10 for about 5 years. Along with Dave Johnson who also taught there I flatted in a house in Avonside Drive owned by your teacher John Williams who lived next door. He was a really great colleague and landlord. I believe that SIS was the school where I learnt most about teaching skills and classroom management. I guess you and I could name a few names at SIS!
Like · Reply · 2 · June 29 at 8:51am · Edited
Carrol Hunter
Carrol Hunter Yes he was an old school teacher who taught us well .We all liked him and he had full control over the class but also made learning fun
Like · Reply · 20 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Whoops. Spelling! Carol with one l. Sorry!
Like · Reply · 9 hrs
Carrol Hunter
Carrol Hunter Don Hutton haha, i get all sorts of spelling ,I answer to any !
Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Carrol Hunter The headmaster was Harry Rankin. Had a bit of a scary look about him because of a war wound but was an absolutely first class man and very supportive of young teachers like I was in them thar distant days!
Like · Reply · 8 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Choose File
Miles Reay
Miles Reay Could very well have been Don. Pat was in the NZGS ChCh office after he left Greymouth.
Like · Reply · 2 · June 27 at 4:47pm
Don Hutton
Don Hutton I think he was Richard. He was in the brightest class I ever taught. Note that it was Shirley not Fendalton or Ilam or Kirkwood or one of the top socio-economic areas!!
Like · Reply · 2 · June 27 at 5:57pm · Edited
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby thanks Miles. That was really interesting.
Like · Reply · 1 · June 28 at 11:45pm
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby I guess u lived in Marsden Rd. Christine Tucker was in my class @ school.
Like · Reply · 1 · June 28 at 11:48pm
Miles Reay
Miles Reay Yes Marion, I assume your father was Wilf?
Like · Reply · 1 · June 29 at 12:22pm
Don Hutton
Don Hutton All the best people lived in Marsden Road!
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Choose File
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Yes, that's right.
Like · Reply · 23 hrs
Miles Reay
Miles Reay Your mum was a great friend of my Mum's. I used to go down to your house to water your Dad's tomatoes when you were away on holiday.
Like · Reply · 6 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Choose File
Bill Johnsen
Bill Johnsen Good obit in Press today....
Like · Reply · 1 · 19 hrs · Edited
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Are u Snow's son? 2 houses from Ida St?
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Right on! I think your place was further up on the same side on the curve. Near neighbours were the Hazeldines?
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby U were across the road from Miles Reay! Yes we were next to Hazeldines. I forget what Snow taught, ?woodwork
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Never! Social Studies & Geography but mainly young people.
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Laura Mills Detlaff
Write a reply...
Choose File
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Or maybe something more significant but retired but the tim
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby time
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby I got to school. Sorry my keyboard is sticky.
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Don Hutton
Don Hutton Sadly he died in 1965 of motor neurone disease. Did you have older siblings? Perhaps one about the same vintage as my sister Jocelyn?
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
Marion Ashby
Marion Ashby Well look what u started Miles! It's hilarious! Would Pat Suggate approve/condone/endorse? I remember the original seed of this thread. And what's underlying was his passion but dealing with what's on the surface can't be ignored. Modern skills. M
Like · Reply · 2 · 17 hrs
Suzanne Trukawka
Suzanne Trukawka Good article .Thanks for sharing
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West Coast New Zealand History (28th Jan 2017). Richard (Pat) Suggate, geoscientist. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 5th Jun 2026 04:57, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/16415