Hamish Marson (1980-84)

Hamish works for Deutsche Bank in London where he is a Systems Architect or someone who specialises in troubleshooting and finding solutions to existing problems. He has wide experience in Internet-facing systems and networking protocols. Hamish works with the Global Unix Engineering team which integrates systems on many platforms. Hamish is also the owner of Travelling Kiwi Systems Ltd. A company that helps Kiwis find jobs.

Louis Justice (2010-14)

Louis is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant working for Ernst and Young (EY’s) in London. He is an executive in EY’s high-performing Transaction Diligence Team. Before shifting to London, had been a Senior Analyst with EY in Auckland.

Russell Ambrose (1979-83)

Russell is a Technology Strategy Manager with ANZ in Auckland.

Ken Malcolm (1973-76 )

Congratulations to Ken Malcolm on his selection for the Victoria over 60’s Cricket team to play in the state championships (covid willing) on the Sunshine Coast in September. Ken is a good example of someone who has passion and enthusiasm for his sport and is motivated to remain fit so he can enjoy cricket for as long as he can. Ken is a regular player in the Old Boys v School cricket match and even brings one of his sons over from Ballarat to play.

Vernon Tile Vamaua (1968-72)

Vernon has recently been in touch with the school. Vernon has been the Head of Department Mathematics at Rongotai College for 26 years. He is also the Regional Treasurer for the PPTA (Post Primary Teachers Association) Wellington Region and has represented Pasifika teachers on the PPTA National Executive. Vernon is currently back on the PPTA Komiti Pasifika National body.

Vernon’s story at PNBHS is an interesting one, Vernon was the first New Zealand-born Samoan to attend PNBHS. He was born and raised in Palmerston North and apart from his European Mother and Grandmother his entire upbringing and social life in PN was within the small Samoan Community that resided in PN from the early-mid 1950s onwards.

Vernon is very appreciative of the opportunities he received at PNBHS and remembered that he was always treated on the basis of what he did rather than making assumptions about him based on ethnicity. He left PNBHS looking back at a positive experience fully prepared for an academic/working life. PNBHS was a positive motivating force for its first three Pasifika students, Vernon, his brother Colin and their cousin Leo Talamaivao. Very good for three boys from Takaro/Highbury.

Vernon was instrumental in inviting Ian Colquhoun (a former student of Rongotail College) to attend the Schools Prize Giving in the early 2000s.

Ben Koloto (2001-05)

Ben who has been teaching at Rongotai College left at the end of term two to take up the position of Assistant HOD English at Aotea College in Porirua.

Ben Fitchett (1993-97)

Ben is the Senior Commercial Leader, Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ). He is responsible for managing all commercial and contracting matters related to New Zealand’s Covid-19 Managed Isolation Facilities. Ben comes from a legal background that also includes an MBA with distinction from Henley Business School, UK. Before his current position, Ben has had other roles with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Spark, and ANZ.

Nathan Hopcroft (1994-98)

Nathan is a Director at Naylor Lawrence & Associates in Palmerston North. A qualified Accountant, Nathan joined Naylor Lawrence on a cadetship when he left school. He spent 8 years with Farquhar Brooking & Associates Ltd in Palmerston North before returning to Naylor Lawrence. He is a former Treasurer of the Manawatu Golf Club and is currently a Trustee for Sport Manawatu.

Peter Hallwright (1967-71)

Peter is an experienced Television News Producer and Project Analyst whose work has required him to constantly upskill ahead of training TVNZ News Producers as well as maintaining the capacity to step in and line up (in an editorial capacity) the flagship 6 pm Bulletin. Peter has trained producers of all TVNZ News and Current Affairs programs.

Professor Michael Kingsley (1982-86)

Professor Michael Kingsley is the head of the Department of Exercise Sciences at Auckland University. Prior to this appointment in 2019, he was Head of the Department of Exercise Science at La Trobe University in Melbourne. He has published over a hundred peer-reviewed publications in Sports Medicine, Sport and Exercise, Science, and Nutrition in Medical Journals.

Professor Michael Kingsley — Image by: PNBHS

William McVitty (2001-05)

William became a Fulbright Scholar in 2013 which took him to the University of Buffalo near New York, where he completed a Master of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering, specialising in Structural and Earthquake engineering. After working in California, he was accepted for the MBA program at Oxford University where after completing an MBA with distinction he received the Dean’s list prize for outstanding Academic Achievement and inclusion on all Dean’s Lists.

James McVitty (1992-06)

James has worked for Fonterra for over 20 years. He is currently based in Chicago, USA, and works with Government Relations and trade strategy for the Fonterra Co-operative Group in North America where he utilizes his extensive experience in international trade policy advocacy and agriculture.

James became a Commonwealth Scholar after completing both Business and Science degrees through Massey University. He finished a master’s degree in Economics and passed with distinction at the University of Reading in England.

Like his brother William, James has also studied successfully at Oxford University where he was part of the said Business Schools, Executive Leadership program. James is also on the Board of Directors for the US/NZ Council where he is the Vice President for Government Relations and Trade Strategy, Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd.

Caleb Sattherwaite (2014-18)

Caleb is a Transport Planner with Mainfreight in Palmerston North.

Paul Loveday (1969-73)

Paul is the Reverendt at St John’s Presbyterian Church in Hastings. He has been in Hastings for 11 years and prior to that was a Reverend in Lower Hutt, Richmond, and Gore.

Simon Askey (2003-07)

Simon is the Head Greenkeeper at the Whangamata Golf Club where he looks after both the 18-hole Titoki course and the 9-hole Williamson course. As Simon says, “he is living the dream”.

Gerald Joe (1991-95)

Gerald is the Head of Legal at Resolution Life NZ. Resolution Life is a global insurance group focusing on the acquisition and management of portfolios of inforce Life Insurance policies. Gerald is a Global Manager of Legacy Life Insurance Portfolios. A Lawyer, he has also worked for Bell Hully, Simpson Grierson, as a Solicitor in London, and Senior Legal Advisor for AMP.

Nick Vanderkolk (1999-03)

Nick after a number of years in Singapore is now the Commercial Director-Dairy Trading for Wilmar International based in Auckland, Wilmar is Asia’s leading agribusiness group. Wilmar one of Singapore’s largest listed companies by market capitalization has a multinational workforce of about 100,000 people. Nick completed a BCA/BA (Hons) in International Business, Economics, and Commercial law from Victoria University.

Karl Sherriff (1986-90)

Karl is an Asset Finance Specialist for the Bank of New Zealand in Taupo. He covers the Central Plateau, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato Regions. Karl calls on his over 20 years of experience in the Equipment Finance and Business Banking Industry to provide the right Asset Finance Solutions to his BNZ and future Customers.

Duncan Matthews (1987-91)

Duncan is a Corporate Agribusiness Partner at the Bank of New Zealand based in Taupo and covers the Central Plateau and Waikato Regions. Duncan has been with the bank for nearly 20 years.

Greg Lowe (1973-77)

Greg is the Group Chief Executive of Beca group one of Asia Pacific's largest independent advisory design and engineering consultants. Gregs post school journey began when he joined the Royal NZ Navy and became part of the officer training programme. It meant the Navy paid for him to study for a degree in engineering at Auckland University as well as posting him for a year to the British Royal Navy Engineering College in the United Kingdom. He was the Chief Engineer of the frigate Wellington before arriving in Australia for the first time to take up a position as design manager for the mechanical and electrical section of the ANZAC ship project - later hailed as one of Australia and New Zealand's most significant joint ventures ever. While there he he also met his wife to be Jane, a kiwi pharmacist living in Australia at the time. After a posting to Wellington to head up Marine Engineering for the Navy he moved to the private sector and joined the project management company RDT Pacific where he was involved in ANZ's building projects in New Zealand and the Pacific as well as energy efficient projects and process improvements around engineering plants.

Greg then joined Beca as Regional Manager in Wellington before heading back to Melbourne to lead Beca's Australia business. During this time he has been extensively involved in projects responding to climate change, particularly in the water industry. As Greg says " Taking action to reduce pollution is good. Taking action to deal with climate change is essential"

Greg became Beca's Chief executive Officer in 2012 leading its global operations and forward strategic planning. beca have over 3000 employees in 21 offices around the world and have delivered projects in more than 70 countries.

Greg now lives in Auckland , he and his wife Jane have three children. Greg was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 and is a Fellow of The Institution of Professional Engineers in New Zealand.

Steve Lowe (1966- 70)

After completing an honours degree in Electrical Engineering Steve has enjoyed an extensive career of engineering, technical, sales management and executive business leadership in the telecommunications and IT industries in New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong. For the last 12 years he has had his own consulting company based in Wellington which includes strategic, business organisation and ICT technology and services consulting in New Zealand and Internationally. He is also a business mentor to start up CEO's. Steve is also a Board of Trustee for Compassion for Orphans an accredited new Zealand inter-country Adoption Agency.

Jack Kennedy (2011-15)

After completing a Batchelor of Commercewith Finance and Economics through Auckland University Jack undertook three internships before becoming a partner in 'First Cut Ventures' a mall team of youth who develop, engage and invest in entrepreneurs under the age of 30. Currently he is a Business Analysts for Cress Global a Management Consulting Company in Auckland.