Huia Robert Ockwell 1949 – 1952

Huia was a member of King's Staff from 1961 to 1963 and 1969 to 1974.

In 1951 Huia was awarded an Honourable Mention in English, Geography, History and Commercial Practice at the end of year prize giving. He also passed the School Certificate Examination. The following year was Huia’s final year at King’s. He gained University Entrance and an Endorsed School Certificate at this time.

On leaving King’s Huia mixed full and part-time university study, student holiday jobs, teaching accounting at Otago Boys' High School and four years as a public company secretary/accountant and oil company trainee from 1953 to 1960.

He graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1961, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1963. But rather than progressing up the ranks in the business world as most of his peers did, he switched to using his business studies to teach, back at his old Dunedin high school, King's, in 1961. He was on leave from teaching at King’s 1963 – 1968, serving as a paymaster for the 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in West Malaysia and Borneo. This was followed by being Finance Officer and Treasury Representative for the NZ Army Force Far East, Singapore. This military interest stemmed  from school cadets, compulsory military service and volunteering; he became Captain in the 3 Field Regiment RNZA and 1RNZIR and was equivalent to being a Major in Singapore. He was deployed in Malaya, Borneo, Thailand and latterly in South Vietnam. He served in the NZ Army’s territorial and regular forces from 1955 to 1972.

In 1969 Huia was back at King's teaching and taking over the role of Careers’ Advisor. He held this position until 1973.

The Taieri High School Principal Ian Murdoch who was a first day pupil at King's from 1936 to 1937. Ian was Head Boy for both of these years. Ian lured Huia to Taieri in 1974. He was appointed HOD Commerce and to teach School Certificate, University Entrance and Bursary accounting. A year later he was talked into applying for the position of Sixth Form Dean. Over his 10 years at Taieri his other responsibilities included overseeing school photos and managing photobooks, sports days, and running prizegiving events.

In 1987, Huia retired from full-time teaching, but then spent many years as an exam supervisor and relief teacher including time at John McGlashan. He spent some time teaching in the UK which allowed his wife Ngaire to pursue her passion for genealogy research. There is always a demand for reliable relievers, and his love of history, and the geography papers he took at university gave him a wide knowledge; he was able to teach across 18 subjects, including PE, at Taieri. He fully retired from relief teaching in 2004 after serving 12,251 hours. He and his wife Ngaire are still in Mosgiel, now living in Chatsford Retirement Village.

Huia was a valued member of the King’s 75th Reunion Committee. His military precision in organising the group photos was much appreciated.

Huia sang with the RSA choir for 17 years. He was a very valued choir member and his singing and storytelling ability has been appreciated.

In May 2023 Kevin Soper (1971 – 1976) attended a milestone awards ceremony for the Chartered Accountants organisation. There were seven milestone award recipients, two for 60 years’ service, the other five for 40 years. Kevin was surprised and honoured to have this photo taken, as a 40-year recipient standing next to one Huia Ockwell, who had clocked up 60 years of service. Kevin remembers him well as a teacher and passionate careers adviser.
Huia is in the army uniform on the left of the photograph with Kevin Soper on his right.