John Patrick Kennedy was a New Zealand Catholic journalist best known for his tenure as the editor of the weekly Catholic newspaper The New Zealand Tablet from 1967 to 1989.

John had a taste for wanderlust and adventure from a young age. He traveled the world, carrying little but his backpack, and experienced climbing Denali, hiking the Amazon, and spending a year in Japan, where he taught English and fed deer in Nara Park. His love for Asian history and philosophy led him to become a master at Jeet Kune Do and a practicing Taoist.

John divided his time between homes in New York City and London. He was married with a daughter who inspired and captivated him. They shared their homes with a loyal German Shepherd. A man of many interests and talents, John was a world-ranked tennis pro, ballroom dancer, chef, and writer.