The former principal of Maniototo Area School lived in the Maniototo for more than 30 years, raising a family of five children with his late wife, Josie.
However, after losing his wife and receiving a diagnosis of macular degeneration at the age of 80, the father, grandfather and great-grandfather decided it was time to move to town.
''After the optometrist told me that I had macular degeneration and that I would no longer be able to drive, I decided that I had to get back to town,'' he said.
He made his home in Green Island because it was close to shopping, buses, and all of the other facilities that he needs.
''My doctor is at the bottom of the drive, my church [St Margaret's Presbyterian Church] is one minute away, my bowling club is three minutes away, Moyles deliver, and the pub is just down the road.
''There is nothing better than this. Green Island is a marvellous community,'' Mr Rutherford said.
The move also enabled him to continue his studies, and he graduated with a post-graduate diploma in theology at the age of 82.
For the past two years, Mr Rutherford has also been a member of the Dunedin Victa group, and has found it immensely useful in dealing with his gradually worsening visual impairment.
''It was very good to be with a group of people with the same problem - you don't feel so alone.
''And better still, these were people who were doing something to help themselves, with a real focus on sharing tips and ideas.''
Among the good ideas Mr Rutherford has picked up through the group have been to access an enhanced computer keyboard - a bright yellow keyboard with big black letters - which he can hook up to his television screen to make reading easier.
And when he is baking or cooking, he uses brightly coloured utensils and measuring cups to ensure accuracy.
For reading, he has a very bright light and uses magnifiers of varying strength. His home is ''minimalist'' to help him keep track of things and to avoid tripping hazards such as mats.
''These are the kind of ideas that have been shared in the group.''
Getting out and about has its challenges, but Mr Rutherford is determined to maintain his active lifestyle.
He wears a badge advising that he is visually impaired and is not shy to ask for help when he needs it.
''You do have to give away your pride a little bit, but people are usually happy to help so long as they know you need it,'' he said.
A life-long advocate for a range of issues, Mr Rutherford also enjoys the relationship Victa has with the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council, often providing feedback to ensure the city is accessible for people with visual impairments.
''I find it pretty stimulating to be involved in the advocacy side of things,'' he said.
''The important thing is to keep on doing as much as you can. It's no good sitting back in a chair and saying 'poor me'.''
