Mr Usher, who has been awarded a King’s Service Medal for his contribution to the community and entertainment, said he never tired of doing magic and neither did his audience.
He had been doing magic for more than 25 years and had no intention of stopping.
"Most people love it and I love doing it. People still get a kick out of it," he said.
He said he could not do what he did without support from his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Amy.
Mr Usher, 55, said he had shows all around New Zealand, travelled to Australia about six times a year and had performed at large conferences in many other countries.
But away from the magic he gives back to his community.
Made the branch manager of the National Bank in Princes St, in Dunedin, when he was 29, he felt the best way to do that job was to be involved in the community.
He had contributed countless hours to charitable organisations including the JR McKenzie Trust, ShelterBox and the Cancer Society. He has been an active Rotarian since 1999, holding several leadership positions and was an elected member of the Saddle Hill Community Board for three terms.
He had been a member of the Dunedin City Council’s grants committee.
In 2021, he received the highest recognition at the New Zealand Magicians Convention, the Magicians Challenge Award. In 2015, he won a Local Hero Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Magic New Zealand, both recognising his dedication to magic and his philanthropy.
In 2022, he was named Lou Clauson Variety Artist of the Year by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.
He now lives in Cromwell and manages Z service stations across the South with his wife.
Jonathan Usher
Cromwell
KSM
Community and entertainment
