John Havelock North was born on 16 April 1903 in Christchurch, New Zealand. His father, John James North, DD, was principal of the Baptist College, Auckland; his mother was Cecilia, née Haig. One brother, Alfred (later Sir), became President, Court of Appeal and the other, Kenneth, was Principal, Palmerston Training College, New Zealand. He was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School and Otago University, qualifying in 1927. After house posts in Auckland, he came to train in England, working in Hampstead General and Southampton General Hospitals and the Royal Infirmary, Wigan, passing the FRCS examination in 1932. Returning to New Zealand in 1934, he became resident surgical officer and surgical tutor at Dunedin Hospital. In 1935 he became surgeon superintendent at Palmerston North Hospital and for 21 years was largely responsible for the considerable development of that hospital and the training of surgeons. In 1956 he was appointed medical superintendent-in-chief, Wellington Hospital Board and here, again, his talents were applied to the redevelopment of the hospital and the establishment of specialised units. In 1964 he resigned from the Board and entered medicolegal consultancy. He was at one time chief medical officer for the Prison Medical Service and for the Department of Railways. After retirement in 1982 he particularly enjoyed bowls. He married Phyllis Gertrude Wiles in 1933 at St Columba's Church, Pont Street; London. They had four daughters. He died peacefully at his home in Waikanae on 17 October 1986, aged 83.