Sharing the achievements and stories of some of the finest Old Boys' of King's.

Russell Tregonning attended King’s High School from 1958 to 1962.

Russell was Head Prefect, Captain of the First XV Rugby team and a member of the First XI Cricket team. He was awarded Blues for Rugby, Cricket and Athletics.

At the school Prizegiving he gained an Honourable Mention in Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, a prize for Dramatic work, a Special Science Prize for Biology and an Old Boys’ Prize for All-round Merit.

In his senior year at the School Athletic Sports, he was first in the 100yds, 220yds and Long Jump. He was second in the 440yds and won the Senior Championship Challenge Cup for scoring the highest total number of points gained in four events.

Russell was Company Sergeant Major Cadet Corps, a committee member for Rugby, Football, Sixth Form Club and the School Magazine. He was a member of the King's/Queen's Madrigal Singing Group. He took the principal role of Marco in the opera” The Gondoliers” and a major role in the drama production of “The Importance of being Earnest” where he played the role of Algernon Moncrieff. He was also a member of the School Orchestra.

On leaving King’s Russell attended the University of Otago where he graduated Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery (MBChB.) As an undergraduate, he gained a distinction grade in Physiology & Biochemistry.

While at University he represented Otago in senior Rugby in 1967. He played in the University of Otago A, B and C Rugby teams. He represented the University of Otago in the Athletic team at Inter-University National tournaments. He acted in Capping Concerts and sang in the Concert Sextet. He also acted in University of Otago Drama Society plays.

Russell became involved in student politics. He was President of the University of Otago Medical Students' Association and Sports Representative on the University of Otago Students' Association.

After his university education, Russell became a Junior Doctor in Auckland from 1969 to 1970. He studied at the Royal College of Surgeons in London from 1970 to 1971, gaining the first part of a Surgical Degree. He was then a Surgical Registrar in Auckland hospitals where he gained a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 1973. He then became an Orthopaedic Fellow in Toronto, Canada followed by Senior Orthopaedic Registrar posts at the Wellington group of hospitals. In 1980 he gained a Fellowship from the NZ Orthopaedic Association (FNZOA). He then worked as a Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon in Wellington public hospitals from 1980 to 2008. 

Between 1980 and 2015 he was the senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Otago and Wellington School of Medicine. He became the inaugural President of the New Zealand Knee Society in 1992 and was the President of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association from 2007 to 2008. He has lectured widely & published scientific papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals both in New Zealand and abroad. 

Russell stopped performing surgery in 2014. He has a wide interest particularly involving action on climate change and Wellington's transport and the wider environment. 

He is a keen recreational Cyclist and Fly-Fisherman the latter letting him view the state of our waterways. Russell is a member of OraTaiao, the New Zealand Climate and Health Council, and a Trustee of the Great Harbour Way Trust.