Gutteridge is suspected of taking his own life on September 15, 2014, at the Tiaho Mai mental health unit at Middlemore Hospital, according to a post mortem into his death.
Aged 53, the influential musician was a founding member of late 1970s and early 1980s Dunedin bands The Chills and The Clean.
He later went on to form the legendary noise-drone outfit Snapper and make his own solo recordings.
On Tuesday, an inquest into his death, headed by Coroner Brandt Shortland at the Auckland District Court, heard he arrived confused and disoriented at Auckland Airport from Los Angeles three days before his death.
Customs officer Gareth Davies recalled speaking to Gutteridge, who alternated between moments of confusion and distress at his recent trip to the US.
Gutteridge told him he had hoped his US trip would get his career back on track but feared he had not performed well and burnt bridges with promoters.
Police Sergeant Nigel Radovanovich was called to assist and deemed Gutteridge was pleasant to talk to but needed help because he mentioned voices in his head, was thin and hungry and looked unable to care for himself.
He took Gutteridge to be assessed by medical experts in Manukau, who referred him to the Tiaho Mai intensive care ward.
A police investigation after his death found he was later left unsupervised for a short period on the morning of September 15, when he is suspected of taking his own life. They found no suspicious circumstances or foul play.
During the inquest, Gutteridge's family and friends asked Sgt Radovanovich why they had not instead let the musician fly straight home to Dunedin where they could have helped him. They said he naturally appeared eccentric and confused at times and would have been a bit lost because he was on his first international trip.
But Sgt Radovanovich said Gutteridge did not provide details of his family and he felt he needed to help the musician by getting him to medical specialists.
Known for a distorted indie sound, Gutteridge was described by rock magazines as an "underground icon" and "architect of the Dunedin sound".
International media outlets The Guardian, Pitchfork, Billboard and Rolling Stone were among those to publish tribute pieces after his death. The inquest continues.
Where to get help
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.
If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354
1737 NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234
- NZN
