PNBHS The Palmerstonian 2025

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 351TRIATHLONTeacher in Charge: Mr P. FinchPNBHS triathletes have enjoyed another highly successful year in 2025. At the National Schools Championships in Wanaka in March, both the U16 and U14 teams claimed gold medals in the Mixed Team Relay event, combining with PNGHS and Feilding High School respectively. U16 Team: Flynn Balfour and Filip Martin U14 Team: Jai Parris and Hugo Skerman Filip Martin (U16) won both the National Schools Individual Triathlon and Aquathon titles. Other individual medal winners included: Aquathon – second: Jai Parris (U14) Aquathon – second: Austin Lean (U13) PNBHS was awarded the ‘first Male School’ Trophy for the third consecutive year, a testament to the team’s consistency and depth of talent. Other team members included Jacob Lean (U19), Oliver Lean (U16), and Zac Wormgoor (U14). In addition to his national success, Filip Martin placed first in the U16 Triathlon NZ Junior Summer Series. Both Filip Martin and Flynn Balfour have been selected for the New Zealand U19 Triathlon Team, which will compete at the Age Group World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, Australia, in October 2025. Sincere thanks to Mr Martin and the Manawatū Triathlon Club for the outstanding support they have provided to our young men throughout the year. VOLLEYBALLSenior Premier A VolleyballBack Row: Mrs N Jacob (Manager), Malakai Siliva, Quinn Shearman, Mr L Livingstone (Assistant Coach), LexisMoralesFront Row: Hsa Htee Soe, Estijan Basson, Miller Priest-O’Hara, Lokeni Alo, Seth ThawAbsent: Denzel Sami (Coach), Bevan Erueti (Assistant Coach), Isaiah Erueti, Kisione Ma’asi, Moe SekonaCoach: Mr D. SamiAssistant Coach: Mr B. Erueti and Mr L. Livingstone Manager: Mrs N. Jacobs

352 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025SUPER EIGHT Leaving early on Monday morning, the boys were ready for a fantastic tournament hosted by Napier Boys’ High School. Day one Game one was against Hastings Boys’ High School and was lost 3–1, with each set being very close. Game two was against Rotorua Boys’ High School and was won 3–1. Day two Game three was against New Plymouth Boys’ High School and was lost 3–1. Game four was against Gisborne Boys’ High School and was won 3–2. Day threeGame five was against Hamilton Boys’ High School and was lost 3–2. With an injured Isaiah Erueti having to withdraw from the tournament, AJ Pritchard joined the team on the final day to play against Hamilton. It was great to have AJ step up and contribute to the team. Moe Sekona was named in the Tournament Team, having played superbly throughout, even while managing a shoulder injury. Although the boys didn’t achieve the results they had hoped for, they gained valuable experience to take into Senior Premier B VolleyballBack Row: Mar Taw, Julius-Jordan More-Ross, Mrs N Jacob (Manager)Front Row: Hameed Muhammad Juma, Xavier Paraone-Dyer, Fonotele Lokeni, Robin Singh, Cody ClarkeAbsent: Bevan Erueti (Coach), Jarom Erueti, Michael Fonua, Taulango Ma’asi, AJ Pritchard, Sebastian Tuimana,Ahi UngoungaCoach: Mr B. Erueti Manager: Mrs N. Jacobs and Mr J. Meehan

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 353the National tournament later in the term. They thoroughly enjoyed the tournament, competing against other Super Eight schools, bonding at the pool in the afternoons, and sharing meals together each evening. Mr Denzel Sami and Mrs Nikki Jacob both enjoyed their time with the team and were proud of their efforts. Tournament Team: Moe Sekona, Miller Priest-O’Hara, Seth Thaw, Alo Logan Junior Lokeni, Kisione Ma’asi, Estijan Basson, Lexis Morales, Quinn Shearman, Malakai Siliva, Has Htee Soe, AJ Pritchard. SENIOR VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL TOURNAMENTThe Premier B team opened the tournament at the PNBHS Gym on Friday night, kicking off the competition in style. Day one Premier B: vs Longburn Adventist College – Win 2–0. Day two Premier A: vs Awatapu College – Win 2–0. vs St Peter’s College – Win 2–0. vs Freyberg High School – Win 2–0.Premier B: vs Freyberg High School – Win 2–0. vs St Peter’s College – Win 2–0. After two days of play, both PNBHS teams were undefeated. Day three Premier A: vs Waiopehu College – Win 2–0. Premier B: vs Horowhenua College – Win 2–0. Semi-finals (best of five sets): Premier A vs Horowhenua College – Win 3–0. Premier B vs Freyberg High School – Win 3–1. In a thrilling all-Boys’ High final, the Premier B team upset the Premier A team in a close five-set match, winning 3–2. Tournament Team Members: Moe Sekona, Miller Priest-O’Hara, Seth Thaw, Quinn Shearman, AJ Pritchard, Michael Fonua. Most Valuable Player: Miller Priest-O’Hara. Premier A Team: Moe Sekona (Captain), Miller Priest-O’Hara, Seth Thaw, Alo Logan Junior Lokeni, Kisione Ma’asi, Estijan Basson, Lexis Morales, Quinn Shearman, Malakai Siliva, Has Htee Soe, Isaiah Erueti (injured). Premier B Team: AJ Pritchard (Captain), Cody Clarke, Jarom Erueti, Michael Fonua, Fonotele Lokeni, Taulango Ma’asi (injured), Julius-Jordon Ross-More, Hameed Muhammad Juma, Xavier Paraone-Dyer, Robin Singh, Mar Taw, Sebastian Tuimana, Ahi Ungounga (injured).

354 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS (NZSSVC) The National Championships began with the opening ceremony at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North. Monday PNBHS A: vs Orewa College – Loss 0–3 (a close first set, 23–25). vs Riccarton High School – Win 3–2. PNBHS B: vs Mana College – Win 2–1. vs Howick College – Win 2–0, qualifying for Division 3. Tuesday PNBHS A: vs St Patrick’s College Silverstream – Win 3–0. After this victory, PNBHS qualified for Division 1 – the first time in several years. vs Rangitoto College – Loss 1–3. PNBHS B (Division 3): vs Otago Boys’ High School – Loss 0–2 (22–25, 25–27). vs Waimea College (Nelson) – Loss 0–2 (second set 29–31). Wednesday PNBHS A: vs Cashmere College – Loss 0–3. vs Hamilton Boys’ High School – Loss 0–3. PNBHS B: vs Shirley Boys’ High School – Loss 0–2. vs KingsWay School – Loss 0–2. Thursday PNBHS A: vs Avondale College – Win 3–2. vs Orewa College – Loss 2–3. PNBHS B: vs Gisborne Boys’ High School – Win 2–0. vs Massey High School – Loss 1–2. Friday PNBHS A: vs Hamilton Boys’ High School – Win 3–2. After two previous losses to Hamilton earlier in the season, the boys showed great determination and finished on a high. Final placing: 11th nationally. PNBHS B: vs Gisborne Boys’ High School – Win 2–1. Final placing: 11th in Division 3. Both teams played with heart and pride throughout the week. This tournament marked the final appearance for our Year 13 players, each of whom made a lasting impact on their teams. YEAR 13 PLAYERS PNBHS A: Miller Priest-O’Hara: Outstanding libero and vice-captain. Tournament Team member and MVP at Regionals. A dedicated, reliable leader. Moe Sekona: Inspirational captain and exceptional all-round player. Tournament Team member at both Regionals and Super Eight. Seth Thaw: Skilled setter and positive team influence. Tournament Team member at Regionals. Kisione Ma’asi: Talented middle who began playing late in 2024. Rapidly became a key team member and a constant supporter from the sideline. PNBHS B: Robin Singh: A hardworking libero with an excellent attitude and willingness to learn.

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 355Sebastian Tuimana: Outside and opposite hitter. A great asset to the team, always positive and eager to improve. It has been a fantastic year for both senior volleyball teams, who by the end of the season had shown tremendous growth in their technical ability, game sense, and sportsmanship. Thank you to all players, coaches, and supporters who gave their time and energy to ensure these young men had the opportunities they did. Both on and off the court, they represented Palmerston North Boys’ High School with pride, humility, and integrity. BLACK & WHITE VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mrs C. NewsonThe Black and White volleyball team demonstrated commitment and growth throughout the season. This dedicated group of boys showed clear improvement in several key areas of play, including more consistent volleys, serving, effective blocking at the net, and stronger communication—particularly in calling for the ball. As the season progressed, so did their confidence, not only in match play but also in scoring and refereeing responsibilities. Their teamwork and willingness to learn were evident each week, and it was a pleasure to see them progress both as a team and individuals. Black and White were rewarded for their effort with a place in the Junior Boys Year 10 final. Grit and determination were on the line against a very strong opposition. A fantastic season full of development and determination resulted in 2nd place in this league.  Black & White VolleyballBack Row: Mason Carter, Jonte Cuppen, Mrs C Newson (Manager)Front Row: Connor Houldsworth, Grayson Parlane, Waiariki Fleming, Isaiah Green, Raanesh RajeshKumarAbsent:Walker TowersSOCIAL VOLLEYBALL  

356 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025COLLEGE HOUSE 1 VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mr M. BruntonThe social volleyball team PNBHS CH1 had a fun-filled term! All the players brought their enthusiasm and gave it a good effort each week. The focus was definitely on enjoying the game and each other’s company. It was a great term where the boys shared plenty of laughs, learning, and gameplay together. It was very much a social team that was there to have fun.WENHAM BUILDERS2020 LTD CHARLIE BIT MY FINGER VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mr G. MaskillThe 2025 volleyball season was a mixed bag of results for Charlie Bit My Finger, a team of relatively inexperienced but highly enthusiastic Year 10 and 11 students. Their unconventional name was matched by a distinctive and unpredictable playing style, which often kept the opposition guessing throughout the season. The team’s creative approach included the regular use of exceptional football skills to return difficult balls — a highlight that drew plenty of amusement and admiration from their small but loyal group of supporters. A focused mid-season training session helped sharpen their traditional volleyball techniques, leading to noticeable improvement as the season progressed. While not a hugely successful season in the traditional sense, Charlie Bit My Finger demonstrated consistent development, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout. Their spirit, camaraderie, and enjoyment of the game were a credit to the team and to PNBHSCharlie Bit My Finger VolleyballBack Row: Nathan Treanor, Mr GMaskill (Manager)Front Row: Rise Okada, Luka Jelavic, Hadi WafiyAbsent:Adam Fountain, CharlieLawton, Gibson Moores, HiroshiNewmanCollege House 1 VolleyballBack Row: Vinnie Grant, Kaemani Potaka-Osborne, Buster Cook, Mr MBrunton (Manager)Front Row: Matiu Konder, Harry Tuhura, Dante Dickey-SimsAbsent:Tyson Marumaru, Luca Sannazzaro, Christian Stewart, Yemaan Al Saleem

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 357COLLEGE HOUSE 2 VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mr R. JochemPlaying in the social league, the emphaisis of team CH2 was to enjoy learning a new game, and getting know a few new boys from school. The team was made up mostly of College House boys, but a couple of day boys were included in the team to make numbers. The first few games were interesting, and the players knew the general rule of up to three hits before passing it to over the net, while other technical rules were learned as they played. On the whole, the team turned up for games, and played well. There was potential for them to have played well enough to get a placing in the tournament, but the social aspect of the game took precedence most weeks. It is a shame that they missed two duties, and that most players did not turn up for the final game, it dampened the season to have let other teams down by not demonstrating integrity when it mattered. College House 2 VolleyballBack Row: Arie Dalley, Finn Hazlitt, Jayden McGrath, Cruz Webb, Mr R Jochem (Manager)Front Row: Paddy Rickard, EmmettLewis, Jed Stewart, Tyler Bismark, Barney McCallAbsent:Maehe AndersonCOLLEGE HOUSE 3 VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mr M. RichterThe CH3 Volleyball team enjoyed a strong and rewarding season. The team was made up primarily of College House students, with a couple of day boys joining the squad. For many of the players, this was their first experience playing volleyball in a formal competition, but they quickly adapted and proved to be a dominant force throughout the season. The players worked exceptionally well together, showing great teamwork and the ability to fight back from behind when needed, winning the majority of their matches. Their positive attitude and determination carried them all the way to the final, where they finished as runners-up — an excellent result and a fitting end to a successful season. A great team effort! College House 3 VolleyballBack Row: Joshua Schneider, Jacob Smith, Mr M Richter (Manager)Front Row: Jimmy Linklater, Jack Pedersen, Cullum BrockAbsent:Elijah Tame, Leo Johnstone, Lachie Funnell

358 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025ERIC FRIENDS VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mrs C. NewsonEric Friends enjoyed a fun and competitive season, built on friendship and a shared interest for the game. While the focus was always on enjoyment, the team demonstrated great spirit and teamwork throughout. Games were filled with solid play, with improvements in communication and coordination becoming more noticeable as the season went on. Players grew more confident in their positioning, calling for the ball, and working together on the court. Whether winning rallies or simply enjoying the match, the group maintained a positive and driven atmosphere and it was encouraging to see them support each other. The team were rewarded with a well-deserved third place in the Junior Boys Year 10 league. Eric Friends VolleyballBack Row: Akshat Jayara, Josh Pati, Mrs C Newson (Manager)Front Row: Lucas Howard, Thomas Calkin, Adi SajwanAbsent:Noah Kerr, Cameron McGrath, Louis StroebelINTERNATIONAL JETSETTERS VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Dr. S ManneringOur volleyball season was a journey of growth, teamwork, and perseverance. At the start, for Leo, Rodrigo, Sora, Eito, Yuto, Kenshin, Chaimeir, Seyhak, Carter, and Eisaku, it was the first time playing together as a team. With nerves running high and a slight language barrier to navigate, we played our opening match uncertain but determined — and secured a victory. As the season progressed, our teamwork strengthened, and each game became more exciting. Facing teams from different schools — many with significant advantages in height and strength — challenged us to push harder and grow together. Despite the difficulties, our commitment never wavered, and we proudly finished in fourth place. One of our most memorable matches was against Awatapu College, a powerhouse team that had lost only one set all season. Although we fought hard, they proved to be formidable opponents and pushed us to our limits. Later in the season, we faced changes in our lineup as four of our international teammates returned home, but the team remained resilient and continued to give their all. Our final match, against Feilding High School, was a tense battle, with close scores in every set — 20–25, 27–29, and 15–17 — ultimately ending in a 3–0 loss. Though we fell short of third place, the game was a true reflection of our teamwork, dedication, and spirit. International Jetsetters VolleyballYuto Sugasaki, Seyhak An, ChaimeirOzborne Cabalona, Dr S Mannering (Manager)

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 359A special thank you goes to Dr Mannering, whose constant support and encouragement made a real difference throughout the season. Every player should be proud of their progress, both individually and as a team. We fought together until the very end, showing the resilience and camaraderie that defined our journey this year. By Seyhak AnSENTINIAL SMASHERS VOLLEYBALL   Manager: Mr A. KwanThe team consisted of Ev Bobchev, Timo Jamal, Rossen Kostourkov, Riley O’Connor, Nikhil Rana and Omi Rawat. Despite being at the beginner level, all six Year 12 players really enjoyed the social game time at the arena. The team was disadvantaged having only six players and often they were playing with only five. Timo also left the school near the end of the Term. Mr Kwan gave the players some strategy tips during the Term and there were improvements in the overall points. In the last few games, the team managed to win at least one set per game and they won the last game of the season. Sentinial Smashers VolleyballBack Row: Riley O’Connor, Mr A Kwan(Manager)Front Row: Nikhil Rana, Omi Rawat, Ev BobchevAbsent:Rossen Kostourkov, Timo JamalWATER POLOSenior A Water Polo Back Row: Max Rough, Jayden Barnes, Mr J Ross (Teacher in Charge)Front Row: Liam Woisin, Johnny Chatterley, Issac Murray, Will Parsons, Jacob Hassan

360 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025SENIOR A WATER POLOCoach: Mr J. Ross     Team: Jayden Barnes (Captain), Ben Chase, Max Chase, Johnny Chatterley, Thomas Chatterley, Jayden Huang, Angelo Johnson-Miranda, Trent Meyer, Issac Murray, Jimmy Okawa, Patrick Oram, Will Parsons, Max Rough, Gus Wescott, Liam Woisin.   Term I of 2025 saw a young Senior A Water Polo team represent the school in the Wellington Secondary Schools Water Polo League, held on Thursday evenings. The majority of players were in Year 9 or 10, with only a small number bringing prior experience to the side. Across the competition, the team played six matches. They recorded wins against Rongotai College (10–5), Hutt Valley High School (7–5), and Hutt International Boys’ School (11–6). A hard-fought contest with St Bernard’s College resulted in a 10–10 draw, while matches against Wellington College (3–10) and St Patrick’s College, Town (5–7) ended in narrow defeats. Despite being one of the youngest teams in the competition, the players displayed impressive skill and determination. Their results provide a strong foundation for continued growth in the years ahead. POLSON BANNER WATER POLOCoach: Mr J Ross Team: Jayden Barnes (c), Estan Botha, Thomas Chatterley, Jacob Hassan, Isaac McGregor, Jimmy Okawa, Will Parsons, Max Rough, Fergus Turner, Liam Woisin, Zach Wormgoor. While the rest of the school’s sporting teams hosted their Napier Boys’ High School counterparts, a group of aspiring water polo players travelled to Hawke’s Bay for the third Polson Banner exchange water polo fixture. The team was largely inexperienced, with four players making their debut in a regulation-depth pool. In addition, the late withdrawal of the regular goalkeeper meant that experienced field players Jayden Barnes, Liam Woisin, and Max Rough were required to share goalkeeping responsibilities. Despite these challenges, the team rose to the occasion and delivered an admirable performance. Their determination and teamwork were rewarded with a hard-fought 10–8 victory.

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 3612024 ADDITIONSATHLETICSNEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPSJames Savage and Jarvis Shaw represented Boys’ High at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Track and Field Championships, held in Timaru in early December 2024.  On the Friday, Jarvis competed in the Junior 3000m, finishing in a personal best time of 9:36 to place 14th overall. James contested the Senior 200m heats, running into a headwind and recording a season’s best time of 24.57 seconds to finish 3rd in his heat. He narrowly missed out on qualification for the semi-finals.  On the Saturday, Jarvis ran in the Junior 1500m heats, where he placed 6th in his heat with a time of 4:38. James also competed that day in the Senior 100m heats, recording 11.75 seconds to finish 5th in his race.  The Sunday marked the final day of competition. Jarvis contested the Junior 4km Road Race, placing 8th in a time of 13:19, followed by the Junior 2km Steeplechase, where he placed 10th in 7:18.  Congratulations to James and Jarvis on their strong performances. We now look forward to the events in next year’s athletics calendar, including the return of the National Secondary Schools’ Championships to the North Island in Hastings at the end of 2025.  BOXINGTeacher in charge: Mr D. DurieThis year’s School Boxing Championships saw a remarkable surge in participation, with a record number of students stepping into the ring. The enthusiasm was sparked in part by Senior Master Mr Pinder, who shared his own school boxing experiences at assembly, inspiring many to take on the challenge. Due to the overwhelming number of entries, the championships were split into two parts to ensure the senior bouts could be completed before study leave. Preliminary rounds were held during lunchtimes in the school gymnasium, building anticipation for the finals. Palmerston North Boys’ High School is proud to be the only school in New Zealand that still holds traditional boxing championships—a legacy made possible by the tireless efforts of Billy Meehan. A heartfelt thank you is extended to Billy for his dedication, and to the staff and students who gave up countless lunchtimes to help run the event: Mr Durie, Mr Meehan Jnr, and Ms Gray.Boxing Champions Junior Division U45kg – Nireaha Carberry U51kg – Boston Simeon U54kg – Taylor Scadden U57kg – Taraquin Te Purei U60kg – Benji Donaldson U63.5kg – Lochy Gillespie U67kg – Kingston Haitana U71kg – Xavier Marumaru U75kg – Kaden Sau-Tupulala U81kg – Alex Brownlie U91kg – Archie Amon U100kg – Kyran Carmont O100kg – Israel Benefield Intermediate Division U54kg – Amon Pearson U60kg – Lochy Tuhi U63.5kg – Colin Qin U67kg – Ashton Dorn U71kg – Roman Monson U75kg – Ash Albert-Papuni U81kg – Reihana Reiri U91kg – Sone Aiiloilo 91kg+ – Faleata Finau Senior Division U63.5kg – Yacob Alemu U71kg – Kazuki Macdonald U75kg – Asher Sinclair U81kg – Josh Harrison U100kg – Alex Palazzo U120kg – Marcel Masters-Taniwha 120kg+ – Jermayne Parkinson

362 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025SEVENSSENIOR SEVENSCoaches: Mr H. Northcott, Mr J. Goerke Manager: Mr D. Cameron Following the 2023 development season, the 2024 Senior Sevens team entered the year with far greater experience, confidence, and knowledge. With a solid core group of Year 13 players, supported by eager Year 11 and 12 students, the team aimed to achieve strong results across their three tournaments. HURRICANES REGIONAL SEVENS The first tournament of the season was the Hurricanes Sevens, hosted at Napier Boys’ High School. The team started strongly but struggled to fully transition from fifteens to sevens, eventually losing to rivals Feilding High School to finish in fourth place. SUPER EIGHT The team next travelled to Gisborne for the Super Eight Sevens competition. Despite some absences, the players produced moments of clinical sevens rugby but were unable to sustain performance across the tournament. A loss to Rotorua Boys’ High School resulted in another fourth-place finish. CONDOR SEVENS The season concluded with the national Condor Sevens, held at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui. The team opened pool play with a 31–5 win over Whangārei Boys’ High School, followed by a narrow 17–12 loss to rivals Rotorua Boys’ High School. They rebounded with a 24–17 victory over Mount Albert Grammar School to finish pool play equal with Rotorua and advance to the top-eight playoffs. In the quarter-final, the team again faced Rotorua Boys’ High School. In a tightly contested match, Rotorua prevailed 24–17 with some clinical finishing. The boys responded well, defeating New Plymouth Boys’ High School 19–10 in their final game to secure seventh place overall. This result was a fitting way to end the campaign and farewell the departing Year 13 players. Condor Sevens squad: Cole Cullen, Cooper Furnell, Tevita Fakahau, Hunter Kennedy, Eric Miller, Alex Palazzo, Richard Schaaf, Amini Seruwalu, Henry Speedy, Micah Steinmetz, Bradley Tocker. Senior SevensBack Row: Cole Cullen, Alex Palazzo, Eric Miller, Tevita FakahauFront Row: Amini Seruwalu, Hunter Kennedy, Henry Speedy, Cooper Furnell, Richie Schaaf, Bradley Tocker, Micah Steinmetz

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 363Junior SevensBack Row: Ferg Amon, Connor Cassidy, Tino Kuki, Carter McCabe, Liam Qiokata2nd Row: Mr M Ramiroz (Coach), Jonty Skerman, Moritz Thonfeld, Taj Hauraki, Mr D Braddock (Coach)Front Row: Will Hogan, Waisale Raiyawa, Sam Cole, Luca Mason, Alex JamiesonAbsent: Lio MaluJUNIOR SEVENSCoaches: Mr M. Ramiroz and Mr D. Braddock Managers: Mr D. Cameron and Mr S. LarsenIn Term IV 2024, the Palmerston North Boys’ High School Junior Sevens team competed in three major tournaments: Super Eight, the Hurricanes Regional Sevens, and the national Condor Sevens tournament. SUPER EIGHT The team travelled to Gisborne to compete in the Super Eight Sevens tournament on 2–3 November. This was a new experience for many of the players, as it was their first time attending a sevens tournament, and it provided a valuable introduction to the fast, high-intensity nature of the sport. On the first day of competition, the team started strongly with a well-earned win over Gisborne Boys’ High School. However, the next two matches proved more challenging, with defeats against Hamilton Boys’ High School and Tauranga Boys’ College. Despite these setbacks, the players showed resilience and began to understand the physical and mental demands required to succeed in sevens rugby. The second day brought an unexpected change when Napier Boys’ High School withdrew, leaving the Junior team with just one game—a rematch against Gisborne Boys’ High School to determine fifth or sixth place. After a solid first-half performance, inconsistency in the second half proved costly, and the team narrowly lost by two points to finish sixth overall. HURRICANES REGIONAL SEVENSLater in November, the team travelled to Masterton for the Hurricanes Regional Sevens tournament. This was the first year Palmerston North Boys’ High School had competed in the Hurricanes Sevens, which provided valuable preparation ahead of the nationals. In pool play, the team secured three strong wins over two Wairarapa College sides and Kuranui College. They then defeated St Bernard’s College in the semi-final to set up a final against Feilding High School. Having previously lost to FAHS in pre-tournament warm-up games, the boys were highly motivated for this fixture. After a back-and-forth contest, they emerged victorious 38–33. CONDOR SEVENSThe final tournament of the year was the national Condor Sevens, held at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui. The team opened their campaign with an impressive 47–5 win over Mount Maunganui College, showcasing skill, speed, and teamwork. A closely contested second game against Rotorua Boys’ High School ended in a 24–12 loss,

364 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025Coaches: Mr C. Hepi and Mr B. Cribb Manager: Mrs S. DurstonBUNNINGS NZSS TOUCH CHAMPIONSHIPS 6–8 December, 2024 – Rotorua Team: Bailey Ngatai-Cribb (Captain), Zinzan Deans-Emery, Tristan Chambers, Flynn White, Damin Fifita, Ashtyn Albert-Papuni, Manaia Rudolph, Lachlan Drew, Micah Steinmetz, Chance Walker, Brooklyn Jackson, Carter McCabe, Luca Steinmetz, Hunter Hall, Liam Qiokata Trials were held early in Term IV, with around 30 students competing for selection in the Senior A Touch Team. While labelled “Senior A,” the side has long included capable junior players, and this year five juniors earned selection — a testament to their skill and athleticism. With extra preparation time, the team entered the tournament under captain Bailey Ngatai-Cribb’s leadership and a renewed sense of positivity. Following TOUCHdespite a strong effort. The boys bounced back with a commanding 33–17 win over Taupō-nui-a-Tia College. The last pool game was against a physically dominant Kelston Boys’ High School side, who outclassed the team in a 43–0 defeat. On day two, the team entered the Plate division (ninth–16th). They opened with a gritty 17–12 win over New Plymouth Boys’ High School before facing Kerikeri High School in the semi-final. This thriller went to golden point extra time, where the team narrowly lost 17–12. The final match was another close contest, ending in a 22–19 loss to Napier Boys’ High School after a late lapse. CONCLUSION Overall, the Junior Sevens team can be proud of their efforts. They showed great spirit and improved significantly over the course of the term. They were a pleasure to coach, and the school wishes them every success in their future endeavours. Senior A Touch Back Row: Liam Qiokata, Flynn White2nd Row: Chance Walker, Manaia Rudolph, Micah Steinmetz, Carter McCabe, Mrs S Durston (Manager)Front Row: Tristan Chambers, Luca Steinmetz, Hunter Hall, Brooklyn Jackson, Lachlan DrewAbsent: Ash Albert-Papuni, Zinzan Deans-Emery, Damian Fifita, Bailey Ngatai-Cribb (Captain), Brett Cribb(Coach), Carson Hepi (Coach)

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 365several intense training sessions and a pre-season tournament, the squad travelled to Rotorua in high spirits. Pool Matches Game one – vs Hamilton Boys’ High School The team took time to adjust to the intensity of Nationals-level play and struggled to find rhythm, often being forced off the ball. Hamilton were clinical and capitalised on early errors. Despite improved effort later in the match, PNBHS fell 1–9 in a tough opening lesson. Game two – vs Rotorua Boys’ High School The boys regrouped well, leading 2–1 at half-time. Rotorua responded strongly after the break, scoring twice in quick succession, but a determined comeback saw PNBHS reclaim momentum. Two late tries — one from Zinzan Deans-Emery and a match-winner from captain Bailey Ngatai-Cribb — secured a hard-fought 7–6 victory, restoring confidence heading into Day II. Game three – vs Hutt International Boys’ School Momentum carried into the next match, though the team began slowly and led only 2–1 at the half. A passionate halftime address from coaches and senior players reignited focus, resulting in five second-half tries. Senior leaders Bailey Ngatai-Cribb and Chance Walker each scored twice in a convincing 7–3 win. Game four– vs Te Puke High School PNBHS produced their most complete first-half performance, racing to a 5–2 lead with fluid attack and disciplined defence. The younger players thrived in the open, fast-paced play, and Hunter Hall crossed for three of the team’s ten tries in a dominant 10–3 win, securing second place in the pool and a spot in the Quarter-Finals. Knockout Matches Game five – Quarter-Final vs Nelson College The team recognised the opportunity before them and competed fiercely. Strong defence and creative attack kept the game tight, trailing 2–3 at the break. Early second-half tries gave PNBHS a brief lead, but Nelson finished strongly to edge ahead 6–5. Despite standout efforts from Bailey and Damian Fifita, the narrow loss ended top-four hopes. Game six – vs New Plymouth Boys’ High School (5th–8th Playoff) Having faced New Plymouth earlier in the season, the team was eager to even the ledger. After trailing 3–2 at half-time, tries from Bailey, Flynn, and Micah kept PNBHS in contention, but New Plymouth’s composure in key moments proved decisive. Final score: 6–7. Game seven – vs Otago Boys’ High School (7th–8th Playoff) Otago opened the scoring, but Bailey Ngatai-Cribb responded with back-to-back tries. The teams were level 3–3 at half-time after an intense opening stanza. Despite a strong defensive effort in the second half, fatigue and the heat took their toll. A single late try from Otago sealed the match 5–4, with PNBHS finishing 8th overall. ReflectionAs a relatively new manager with the Senior A side, I was incredibly proud of the team’s efforts throughout the tournament. While every team aims for victory, a top eight finish at Nationals represents an outstanding achievement and a clear sign of progress. Captain Bailey Ngatai-Cribb led by example with 11 tries, while Zinzan Deans-Emery’s defensive communication and leadership were instrumental. The team’s cohesion, despite many players being new to this level, was impressive. Watching younger players step up and grow over the week was particularly rewarding. A heartfelt mihi to the whānau who supported their sons from the sidelines and those who travelled to Rotorua — your encouragement meant a great deal. Finally, sincere thanks to Mr B. Cribb and Mr C. Hepi for their tireless coaching, guidance, and passion. Your commitment allows our young men to develop not only as athletes but as fine representatives of Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Tēnā rawa atu kōrua. Mrs S. Durston (TiC)

366 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025VOLLEYBALLJunior Premier A Volleyball Back Row: Mr A Kwan (Manager), Fonotele Lokeni, Malakai Siliva, Mrs N Jacob (Manager)Front Row: Mar Taw, Joseph Faleni Aloisio, Hameed Muhammad Juma, Julius-Jordan More-Ross, Kyaw Eh MooAbsent: Bevan Erueti (Coach), Cody Clarke, Sean Davey, Jarom Erueti, Taulango Ma’asiJunior Premier B Volleyball Back Row: Tristan Tuia, Tino Kuki, Mrs N Jacob (Manager)Front Row: Mohammad Abdian, Lio Malu, Tasi Maligi, Emir Cicek, Lucian Teni TeniAbsent: Bevan Erueti (Coach), Sam Brown, Gideon Owen, Brandon Pham, Connor Radford, Deacon Williams

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 367The 2024 Junior Volleyball season, played in Term IV, was an exciting and dynamic period of growth involving 20 athletes. These players were selected into Junior A and Junior B teams based on ability, maturity, and game sense. The season focused on building discipline and teamwork, underpinned by the fundamentals of passing (serve-receive), serving, and a ‘no fear’ attitude. For most of the squad, this was their first taste of competitive volleyball, making every practice and match a valuable learning opportunity. Both teams competed in the Term IV Manawatū Junior Premier League (MJPL), a competition limited to the region’s top eight schools. Palmerston North Boys’ High School is grateful to organiser Ms Kelsey Higgins (Competition Director, Manawatū Regional Volleyball Association) for allowing two of our teams to enter. The Junior B team finished fifth, defeating Waiopehū College in their playoff to end their season on a satisfying high. The Junior A team combined five experienced athletes from the 2023 season with five newer players to form a formidable group notable for their height, physicality, and—most importantly—coachability. They dominated the MJPL, winning every match without dropping a single set, thus retaining the championship title. The team’s efforts were rewarded with a $500 voucher for Mikasa equipment, helping to sustain the PNBHS volleyball programme. Preparation also centred on the North Island Junior Secondary Schools (NIJSS) Tournament, held in Auckland. PNBHS is the only school from Manawatū to compete, holding the region’s sole qualifying position. Entering ranked 23rd, the team finished second in their pool after defeating Whakatāne High School and Massey High School, thereby qualifying for Division I for the first time since 1999. Cross-over matches against powerhouses Rangitoto College, Western Heights High School, and Onehunga High School ended in defeats, pushing the boys into the 9th–16th bracket. A narrow loss to Rosmini College meant the best possible finish was 13th. Showing resilience and determination, the team defeated Hamilton Boys’ High School and Auckland Seventh-day Adventist College to secure 13th overall. This was an outstanding achievement in a field of 95 boys’ teams, placing the squad second among Super Eight schools and marking PNBHS’s best NIJSS result in 25 years. Several players produced standout seasons. Setter Hameed Muhammad-Juma demonstrated exceptional leadership and was awarded the PNBHS Junior Volleyball MVP for 2024. Jarom Erueti and Julius More-Ross led attacking and passing statistics, while Malakai Siliva and Fonotele Lokeni consistently excelled in middle blocking and serving. Libero Kayw Eh Moo was outstanding in serve-receive and backcourt defence. Newcomers Cody Clarke, Cooper Davey, Mar Taw, and Joseph Faleni Aloisio added valuable depth and made significant contributions in their first year of competitive volleyball. None of these achievements would be possible without the support of dedicated staff. Special thanks and mihi are extended to Ms N. Jacob and Mr A. Kwan, whose encouragement and commitment underpin the ongoing success of the volleyball programme. The team also acknowledges the vital support of parents and caregivers, whose efforts behind the scenes enable these experiences for their sons. Looking ahead, both Junior A and Junior B athletes can be proud of a season defined by growth, resilience, and teamwork. Their achievements in 2024 have laid a strong foundation for the future of volleyball at PNBHS. YEAR 10 CAMPALPINE ADVENTUREBy Liam and MattDay one We left school at 8.00 am on Monday and headed for Massey Ski Lodge on Mount Ruapehu. We stopped at the Mobil in Taihape for morning tea and at a local dairy in Ohakune for lunch. From Ohakune it was a 20-minute trip up to the lodge, where we settled in before going up to the snow for a snowball fight—where the students beat the teachers. After that we went back down to Ohakune for dinner, splitting into groups to visit different restaurants. Then it was back to the lodge to sleep and get ready for the next day. Day two We started the day with oats, made our boosters, and packed extra for the following day. After suiting up for the tramp, Mr Miller joined us and we walked to the starting point. The tramp began with a steady descent on loose gravel into a valley, where we crossed a stream and climbed back up before descending into the next valley. We then had to carefully climb down a rock slab and a spine-like formation into a pool of water before continuing across a rocky slope. The rest of the way was fairly flat and easy. We eventually arrived at Mangaturuturu Hut for lunch. From there we tramped for an hour to a waterfall, where we swam in the freezing snowmelt water, before hiking back to the hut and camping outside under fly sheets.

368 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025CANOE THE WHANGANUI RIVER By Flynn Knight (10PR) and Mattias McGregor (10DT)Canoeing the Whanganui River was definitely a highlight on the calendar. From tenting in the middle of nowhere to tackling grade two rapids, jumping 10 metres into the river, and stumbling across dead possums and goats, this camp had it all. We learnt how to manoeuvre a Canadian canoe and why you should never pitch your tent on a slope. Day one Our bus stopped at Whakahoro in Whanganui National Park. I emptied the contents of my bag into a small barrel, which was what we used for the duration of the week. We loaded our gear onto the canoes and set out for a two-hour paddle. Our first stop was Mangapapa, which had a great rock jump. That night I made the mistake of setting up our tent on a slope. When I woke up at 4.30 am, I found myself halfway outside the tent. I must have been there for a while, as half my sleeping bag was soaked with dew. Day two We canoed for six hours, spotting mountain goats along the way. We camped at John Coull, where the ground was thankfully flat. Day three We paddled for about five hours, crossing rapids where many capsized. That night we camped at Mangapurua, which had a great view of the river and the surrounding bush. Day four The day started with a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere. Day three After breakfast we climbed back up the steep rock face and spine, stopping at the top for some home baking. When we returned to the lodge we had sausages for lunch and played camp games, including wrestling matches and log throwing. Later we had dinner and more games, such as flip cup and beer pong (without the beer), where we could score points for our teams. Day four We had a sleep-in before heading to the hot pools, where we spent time alternating between the warm pools and cold showers. Then it was on to mini golf, where the students once again beat the teachers. Dinner was prepared by the College House staff, and afterwards we played more camp games, including dice stacking and arm wrestling (Matthias is a pro arm wrestler). Day five Breakfast was oats again before heading out for rafting. This was a lot of fun, with the instructors keeping everyone entertained—one even dive-tackled a student into the water. We rafted under two train bridges just as trains crossed overhead. The rapids were small, but invading other boats made it exciting. After rafting, we ate lunch and realised our time at camp was nearly over. The drive back to Palmerston North was quiet, with many of us sleeping in the vans. We were picked up from the same place we had left on Monday morning. Oh, what fun!

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 369GLENBURN STATION CAMPGlenburn Station is recognised as one of New Zealand’s iconic sheep and beef properties. Covering 14,000 acres and boasting nine kilometres of Pacific coastline, it offers a range of accommodation that makes it an ideal school camp destination. Eighteen boys and six staff arrived to fine weather, although sea conditions were rough and dirty. After setting up, the students headed straight to the beach to swim, boogie board, and surf-cast. Dinner was gourmet burgers, after which the boys settled down for a good sleep. On Tuesday half of the group worked in the station yards. This pattern continued through the week, with students helping on the property alongside their outdoor activities. Wednesday featured a walk to Honeycomb Rock and its resident seal colony. By Thursday the sea had settled enough for a dive. A few pāua and kina were gathered, and some of the pāua were enjoyed as fritters at dinner. The week was filled with activities centred on the sea. For many, the opportunity to work on the station provided a unique and memorable experience. We learnt about its history, but the more memorable sight was an injured goat that had to be euthanised and became eel food beneath the bridge. The paddle that followed was beautiful, with plenty of opportunities for swimming and stone-skimming. That night we stayed at Tīeke Marae, which had excellent views of the river and another chance for rock jumping. Later, near the bush, I came across a big brown furry possum caught in a trap. Despite being dead, it still looked surprisingly fresh—something I found rather interesting. Day five The final day brought the biggest rapid I had ever seen. We were meant to paddle through it, but when a huge wave smacked me I froze. Thankfully, we survived without capsizing. On the bus ride home, I thought about how privileged I was to be part of this camp. It was an unforgettable experience, made even better by the people who shared it.

370 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025KĀPITI COAST CAMP This year’s camp brought together a smaller group than usual, as several boys had been selected for national competition teams. Day one saw the boys cross the Escarpment Walk. The views were excellent, though the group had to contend with strong winds. That evening’s first mountain bike ride revealed that while several boys had only entry-level skills, the bikes were generally fit for purpose. Over the course of the week the boys tackled a variety of mountain bike rides and challenges. They excelled on the high ropes course in Porirua, visited Titahi Bay for a swim and snorkel, enjoyed swimming at Paekākāriki Beach, and viewed the extensive collection at the Southward Car Museum. Adept at creating their own games in spare time, the group gelled well and were a pleasure to take away. KAWHATAU OUTDOORS Kawhatau Outddors (based about 20 minutes inland from Mangaweka) was known for ‘doing something different every day’. The camp comprised 17 eager students, two seniors and three helpful staff. Day one saw us rafting, tenting and cooking for ourselves, as well as rock sculpting on the riverbank. Day two was a tramp followed by a quiz night. Day three was the team-based activities – “Masterchef”, rock painting and puzzles. Winning these took on extra importance as the results would see who got the easy jobs on Friday and who would clean the dreaded bombshell bathrooms. Day four was a farm visit and experience. It was great to get quite ‘hands on’ – we learnt how to dig in a fence post as well as draft and drench sheep. After lunch we went to the asparagus farm where many boys found the entire process from seed to table quite interesting. The final day saw us pack up, clean up then head into Feilding on the way home for a round of mini golf and pizzas for lunch. Camp week was a great experience for everyone and most of the boys had a blast. Many thanks to Mr Benn and Mr Roydhouse for giving up their time as well as a huge vote of thanks to Mr Higgie for organising the week. Thanks also to the two Year 12 boys, Angus and Charlie. Their quiet assurance and assistance helped many of the lads. Kawhatau Outdoors is a camp with many different activities that I know the boys enjoyed. Long may it continue. By Bailey Hakopa

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 371OHAKUNE OUTDOORS CAMP By Calvin Young and Declan McCormack At the Ohakune Outdoors Camp we faced great challenges while maintaining teamwork and fun. Activities included white-water rafting on the Tongariro River and hiking the historic Old Coach Road. Old Coach Road On day two we set out on a 15-kilometre hike along the Old Coach Road. Overall, it was a calming tramp and most of the boys enjoyed it. Along the way we saw several viaducts built around 1908, many constructed using dangerous ladders instead of scaffolding. White-water rafting On Wednesday morning we set off bright and early on an hour-long drive from Ohakune Station Lodge to Tūrangi, arriving at Tongariro White Water Rafting. Once there, we geared up with the essentials needed for safety on the river. After suiting up, we travelled by bus to the Tongariro River, where we grouped with our peers and tour guides and carried the rafts down to the water. After being taught the basics, we set off down the river. Teamwork was vital on the raft, as each person needed to stay in sync to keep moving. The rafting adventure showed us how beautiful New Zealand is—the trees, the forest, the rocks, the glistening water, and the sunshine all combined to make it a memorable experience at camp. RANGITĪKEI RAFTING Day oneWe left school at 9.30 am for camp, feeling both nervous and excited. On arrival at Mangaweka Domain campground, we pitched our tents. A few boys struggled with this as it was their first time. After eating our packed lunch, we walked across the old bridge to Awastone Riverside Haven, where we met our guides—Jure, Cesar, and Tini. They took us on a short orientation trip on the rafts and kayaks, which left us eager for the next three days. After some free time we returned to Awastone for a lovely roast chicken dinner. Mr Langley showed us how to start a fire without matches, using embers from a previous fire in the pit. We were in our tents by 10.00 pm. Not long after, some of us learnt why fly sheets should be kept closed, especially if lights are on after dark. Bugs were only too happy to share our tents and spoil our sleep. Day two Breakfast at Awastone was Milo, toast, and cereal. After packing the vehicles and sorting our gear into shared dry bags, we left mid-morning for River Valley, about an hour north of Taihape, on a slow, winding road. We were excited to get on the river but progress was delayed by two grade three rapids that required the kayaks to be portaged. The guides safely took the three rafts over these, while Mr Sawyer used his experience to paddle his kayak through.

372 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025The rest of the day brought pleasant rafting and kayaking, with only grade one and two rapids. Lunch was sandwiches we had made earlier at Awastone. We collected firewood along the way to our riverbank campsite, where we unpacked and set up. Thirteen boys slept together under a large fly and ground sheet. Dinner of nachos, fruit, and custard was welcomed by all. Day three A lazy start was followed by cereals, toast (made over the fire), and smoky Milo for breakfast. After breaking camp, we set off around 10.00 am. By now, everyone was confident, taking turns paddling as a team on rafts or solo in kayaks. We passed through the aptly named Grand Canyon of the Rangitīkei and Shipside Canyon, paddling for about six hours. Lunch was wraps on the riverside. Setting up camp was much quicker as we had more experience. Dinner was curry, followed by bananas stuffed with chocolate and roasted in their skins over the fire for dessert. Day fourWe had breakfast, broke camp, and were packed up before 10.00 am. Competition for the kayaks was strong as most of us now knew what we were doing. The first half of the day offered good paddling with many rapids. Lunch was at the entrance to a narrow canyon with an impressive waterfall. The river then became gentler, and with the sun shining, we enjoyed a slow paddle back to Awastone, arriving at 3.30 pm. After unloading the rafts we returned to the campground to pitch our tents. A free (but short) shower was greatly appreciated before an early dinner of pizza and chips. The evening was spent around a fire before heading to bed at 10.30 pm. Day five Rain meant we packed wet tents after our usual breakfast at Awastone. We then wandered down to the riverside to greet boys from other camps doing a two-hour rafting trip. We felt proud to have been on the longer, tougher camp. Lunch was a pie and fizzy drink, enjoyed before heading back to civilisation. We would like to thank our guides and teachers, Mr Langley and Mr Sawyer, for the opportunity. RUAHINE TRAVERSE  Eleven eager and well-prepared students began their adventure on Sunday morning, climbing through misty conditions to reach Sunrise Hut. After achieving the summit at an impressive pace, the group pressed on over Armstrong Saddle and down to Top Maropea Hut, where they set up camp for the night.  Monday brought clear, warm weather, perfect for navigating the Maropea River’s rocky bed. Along the way, the students enjoyed observing the native Whio (Blue Duck) and spotting backcountry rainbow trout in the crystal-clear waters. The afternoon offered a chance to relax in the sun, explore the area around Maropea Forks Hut, and hone their campcraft skills.  On Wednesday, cool, cloudy conditions set the stage for the most challenging part of the trip: a 500m vertical ascent to Puketaramea. From there, the group descended

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 373to Iron Bark Hut, completing the longest trekking day of the week. Thursday was dedicated to rest and recovery, allowing the group to recharge for the final leg of the journey.  The day provided opportunities to spot more trout and the boys were entertained by the eels in the river.   On Friday, they tackled another 500m climb, crossing the National Park boundary and traversing Mokai Station via the Mokai Patea highpoint.  This year’s participants demonstrated remarkable endurance and teamwork, tackling the rugged terrain at record speeds. They thrived on the challenges of living self-sufficiently, carrying all their supplies in backpacks, and camping in the outdoors.    SURF WAIRARAPA By Max Bradnock On Monday 25 November, 26 Year 10 boys left for camp at Castlepoint. The weather was excellent, and some boys were surprised by the heat, as Palmerston North is never that hot. We unloaded the vans and set up our tents. Most boys managed easily, though some needed the teachers’ help. Eager to get in the water, we put on our wetsuits and went surfing. For many of us it was our first time, so we stuck to riding the whitewater. The water was freezing, but we all enjoyed it. Dinner that evening was burger patties and sausages. By nightfall the wind had picked up, and some tents—mine included—lost a few pegs. On Tuesday morning we surfed in perfect conditions, with really good waves. We didn’t stay in the water too long because we had other plans. We walked down to the gap, where the waves were huge, and spotted a few seals. One even charged at us when we got too close. We then climbed up to the lighthouse, where the view from the top was breathtaking. Back at camp we had another surf, dinner, and a calm night’s sleep. Wednesday brought the best surf of the week. Clean, rolling waves gave us two great sessions in the water. Dinner that night was followed by a treat from the local dairy, who shouted us L&P because we had been such regulars during the week. Another still night meant another good sleep. By Thursday we knew the forecasted wind would arrive. It was far too rough to surf, so instead we hiked up a mountain for another stunning view. Later, as the wind intensified, chaos hit the campsite. Tents collapsed or broke, and boys scrambled to pack them down. By evening, only one tent remained standing, with everyone else sleeping in vans or the kitchen. On Friday morning we packed up quickly and headed to Masterton. We stopped at the pools for lunch before travelling home. The vans were quiet, as everyone was exhausted. Overall, Surf Wairarapa Camp was one of the best and most exciting experiences of my life.

374 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025TARANAKI HARDCORE   Twenty-six students and six staff members travelled north for the Taranaki Hardcore Camp to embark on a week of outdoor adventure in one of the most picturesque locations in New Zealand, Taranaki. On our way north to Fitzroy Beach Camp we stopped in Okaiawa to do dam dropping. The boys found the river icy cold but braved the conditions and got stuck in. After setting up camp we climbed Paritutu Rock and then went sand duning at Back Beach where the annual dune race was held. The next three days were filled with surfing, biking, swimming fishing and other beach activities. The boys attitude and willingness to get involved was excellent which lead to a great week. A special thanks to the staff who made the camp possible.  TURANGI ADVENTURE With mountain bikes and tents loaded up on Monday, the group embarked on their trip north to the centre of the North Island to experience arguably one of the best mountain bike trials in NZ - the Pureoroa Timber Trail. First stop (after much needed coffee in Taihape) was a taster on a Waihaha Trail just out of Kuratau. This is an undulating track with banked corners that allowed us to stretch the legs and to make sure our skills were on point. From there we went to our campsite for the next two nights in Piropiro. Camping allowed us to express our BBQ and camp cooker skills as meals were reheated or cooked from scratch. Tuesday saw us ride the first 40km’s of the Trail. The first 14 km was spent climbing steadily as the group sought to prove Newtons third law. The next three hours was a combination of fast down hills, sweeping turns and a fair amount of adrenaline. That night, dinners were devoured before heading to the cycloX racecourse. Races were had as egos were checked and the annual champion was found. The next day saw the second half of the Trail completed. The highlights for the day were the five bridges that were crossed, including the third longest suspension bridge in the New Zealand (141 metres long and 54 metres high), the Ongarue Spiral and the massively long downhills. At the end of the day, the group were certainly aware of their accomplishment. Wednesday and Thursday nights were spent in Turangi as we experienced the awe inspiring Kuratau Lagoon before rafting down the white waters of the Tongariro River. Friday has us packing up and heading home, stopping once again in Taihape for the annual Gumboot Throwing competition. All in all, a great week with outstanding experiences being had.

376 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025UNIVERSITY RESULTSFirst Semester Papers 2024Congratulations to the following students who achieved the papers shown in 2024 (* indicates an A grade; A-, A or A+);Jesse Akepogu - Forensic Psychology*; Jamie Bennett - Mathematics Full Year*; Tariq Billinghurst - Mathematics Full Year*; Patrick Canham - Sociology*;Kexu Chen - Mathematics Full Year*; Gabriel Crisp - Forensic Psychology*, Philosophy; Scott Sun - Computer Science II*, Mathematics Full Year*; Quentin Durston - Introduction to Sport Management*; Micaiah Gloyn - Forensic Psychology*; Jason Gui - Physics II; Mahiro Hada - Finance Fundamentals*, Mathematics Full Year*; Tim Harjes - Chemistry and the Physical World*, Discrete Mathematics*, Mathematics Full Year*, Physics II*; Max Hodgson - Discrete Mathematics, Mathematics Full Year*, Physics II; Patrick Holmes - Mathematics Full Year; Teo Jauregui-Na - Mathematics Full Year*, Music*, Philosophy II*, Physics II*; Yoav Lipsky - Discrete Mathematics*; Hugo Liuvaie - Computer Science II, Discrete Mathematics, Mathematics Full Year; Fletcher Lochhead - Physics II; Daniel Maas - Classics, Philosophy II; Jake Maskill - Mathematics Full Year*; Jayden Milbank - Chemistry and the Physical World*, Discrete Mathematics*, Mathematics Full Year*, Physics II*; Saem Millward -Mathematics Full Year*; Toby Rea - Chemistry and the Physical World*, Discrete Mathematics*, Mathematics Full Year*, Physics II*; Stephen Rosendale - Classics; Ryan Shearer - Mathematics Full Year; Benjamin Shirley - Mathematics Full Year; Adi Singh Homs - Mathematics Full Year; Jack Trotter - Finance Fundamentals*, Mathematics Full Year*, Physics II;Matthew Wongchoti - Forensic Psychology*.NEW ZEALAND QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY RESULTS 2024The school apologises for any omissions, as it has to construct its own information from the confirmed NZQA results. NCEA Level 1 Pamudu Abayarathna, Aidyn Adams, Farhaal Ahmed, Hamish Ainsworth, Luca Albert, Charlie Algie, Mehdi Ali Akbar, Musa Aly, Edward Anderson, Thomas Andrew, Henri Anema, Dylan Arnold, Ralph Arsenio, Ned Ash, Ethan Astwood-O’Keefe, Ethan Ata, Todd Barber, George Barham, Hamish Barnes, Zak Barzak, Estijan Basson, Cole Beale, Tarquin Beaumont, Ollie Belcher, Luke Berry, Shaun Betts, Dylan Bevan, James Bigham, Jacob Bird, Ishmam Biswas, Lochy Black, Ashton Blinkhorne, Ryan Block, Jonty Boness, Levon Booth, Harry Bourke, Kobe Boylan, Jonty Brimelow, Rylan Brock, Jackson Broughan, Monson Brown, Addison Brown-Floyd, Oliver Bunn, Jonty Bunny, Hunter Busbridge, Fynn Busuttin, Isaac Buttar, Cullen Byrne, Caidyn Caffell, Benjamin Cameron, Matthew Campbell, Grayson Cattle, Tristan Chambers, Ryein Chambers, Kawin Chatsungnoen, Ujal Chhetri, Cody Clark, Conor Clince, Luca Cockrell, Samuel Codd, Diego Coleman, Cooper Collins, Quinn Collis, Kaden Colville, Maddoc Cook, Daniel Cotter, Maclean Crossman, Oliver Crotty, Olly Cruickshank, Jack Culshaw, Ben Currin, Layton Curtis, Ruan Daniels, Corbyn Davenport, Ethan Davenport-Hewitt, Ollie Davidson, Ben Davies, Matt Davis, Corbyn Dekker, Tom Denton, Bryce Devlaminckx, Karam Dhari, Senitha Dinudaya, Caleb Dobson, Hawaiiki Docherty-Parete, Kaushik Doley, Nic Donnelly, Liam Dreaneen-Kerr, Xylys D’silva, Shloke Dutta, Robbie Dyer, Ashton Eales, Hugo Early, Hunter Eastwood, Josh Edwards, Jim Eglinton, Jack Ellison, George Fell, Coll Ferguson, Damian Fifita, Taine Flutey, Will Fortune, Herphaetian Fou-White, Isaac Fox, Samuel Franklin-Browne, Lucas Fraser, Pita Fuafiva, Jonty Gibbs, Luka Gillett-Pond, Hunter Giltrap, Logan Gloyn, Alex Gordon, Conor Greaney, Aymon Greatbatch, Bosston Gribbon, William Grieve, YanWu Guan, Jordan Gulliver, Lachlan Hall, Caleb Hamblyn, Abdel Hamidah, Charlie Hancock, Joe Hansen, Lenny Hansen-Wall, Aidan Harris, Max Hart, Darcy Hill, Rhys Hobdey, Hamiora Horua, Fletcher Hoskins, Baxter Hoskins, Jared Innes, Richard Ioane Viliamu, Josh Irwin, Harry Jackson-Vile, Fraser James, Toby Johnson, Juan Joseph, Liam Jurgens, Olen Juru, Alvi Kabir, Karan Kang, Ben Kang, Lucas Kempthorne, Dylan Kenny, Austin Kinaston, Moss Knowles, Sadeetha Kohoban Arachchi, Honour Lalakai, Oliver Lamberton, Toby Lamberton, Jordin Last-Harris, Elias Lavini, Fletcher Law, Leroy Lee, Levi Lett, Micah Lewis, Louis Lim, Roger Lin, Patricio Lizarraga Castillo, Alo Logan Junior Lokeni, Hamish Lunn, Jayden Mabey, Ethan MacDonald, Jake Mackay, Tom Mackay, Campbell Mackintosh, Wills Madden, Caleb Maddocks, Marc Angelo Malazarte, Vincent Malazarte, Tanish Malhi, James Manderson-Anneff, Boston Maniapoto, Kyran Maniapoto-Ohlson, Tiaki Manu, Paulie Marsters-Sasa, Marcel Marsters-Taniwha, Quentin Martin-Ganotan, Armani Mason, Thomas Mason, Manaia Matehaere, Leighton Matson, Jordan McConachy, Romahn McDonald, Conor McEwan, Kaleb McKay, Alex McLeod, Nathanael McNamara, Zavier MitchellKouttab, Nazir Mitchell-Kouttab, Arman Mohd Ridzuan, Rakena Mohi, Jarreau Mohi-Henare, Taylor Moore, Lexis Morales, Dominic Moyle, Yahya Muhammed Ali, Robbie Munro, Caleb Murdoch, Riley Murphy, Daniel Newson, Khanh Nguyēn, Mika Niko, Ali Raza Nouroz Ali, Regan O’Connor, Shea O’Hara, Felix O’Neill, Emmanuel Onyema, Garrick Otto, Alex Palazzo, Jacob Papenfus, Han Park, Dev Patel, Bryn Pearson, Munish Pediredla, Josh Petch, Flynn Peters, Ben Phillips, Billy Pinder, Dylan Poulsen, Charlie Powell, Sakthi Prabhu, Miller Priest-O’Hara, Alex Pringle, Jack Puanaki, Carter Pugh, Colin Qin, Atta Rahim, Mousam Rai, Yusha’ Rasheed, Benny Rattray, Tommy Read, Lachie Redington, Farhad Rezai, Ariz Riaz, Leighton Riley, Bradie Robson, Ethan Rojthanapongsa, Lucas Rusk, Ali Safa, Ayatullah Sanusi, Edmar Saribay, Jack Saunders, Kalahni Sa’u-Tuputala, Chemin Seetongoon, Santiago Shadbolt, Alex Sharpe, Zack Sharratt, Robin Singh, Harjot Singh, Riley Smith,

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 377Hsa Htee Soe, Eric Sojan, Riley Somerville, Silas Steer, Cooper Stephenson, Joe Stevenson, Jack Stock, Sam Stratford, Basantha Subba, Ronald Sun, Steven Sun, Clark Sutcliffe, Taonga Takitimu-Laws, Qilang Tan, Alec Taurua-McKay, Lucas Taylor, Angus Taylor, Seth Thaw, Tydde Thomas-Connor, Henok Tolesa, Samuel Tolmie, Liam Tootell, Zac Trail, Daniel Transom, Ashton Trotter, Lochy Tuhi, Cory Tuimana, Dylan Tyler-Hirst, Lochie Underwood, Juan van der Spuy, Ethan Veale, Flynn Venter, Jamie Viljoen, J P Vinsen, Te Rau Walker, Tyler-Jay Wallace, Richard Wang, Lucas Warren, Kayde Watson, Phoenix Watson, TJ Waudby-Johnston, Levi Weatherall, Harry Weir, Devon Wheeler, Peter Whippy, Logan White, Jake Whitley, Zion William, Jonty Williamson, Jack Wilson, Darcy Wilson, Caleb Wilson, Sean Wilson, Calum Wipaki, Jakob Wong, Eric Wong, Ruben Woods, Zachery Woollett, Ethan Worsley, Gabriel Young, Anthony Yuan, Steven Zhang.NCEA Level 2Pamudu Abayarathna, Jakob Abernethy, Aidyn Adams, Farhaal Ahmed, Hamish Ainsworth, Cooper Aish, Luca Albert, Charlie Algie, Charles Arnold, Ralph Arsenio, Ned Ash, Abdur Asif, Ethan Astwood-O’Keefe, Ethan Ata, George Barham, Jayden Barnes, Zak Barzak, Campbell Bassett, Estijan Basson, Cole Beale, Luke Berry, Dylan Bevan, James Bigham, Ishmam Biswas, Lochy Black, Ashton Blinkhorne, Ryan Block, Jonty Boness, Henry Bovey, Kobe Boylan, Jonty Brimelow, Rylan Brock, Jackson Broughan, Monson Brown, Addison Brown-Floyd, Oliver Bunn, Ryan Burmeister, Isaac Buttar, Cullen Byrne, Caidyn Caffell, Benjamin Cameron, Matthew Campbell, Reagan Carver, Grayson Cattle, Jacob Cavan, Tristan Chambers, Ryein Chambers, Kawin Chatsungnoen, Charlie Chisholm, Cody Clark, Luca Cockrell, Samuel Codd, Diego Coleman, Cooper Collins, Quinn Collis, Kaden Colville, Max Congdon, Daniel Cotter, Alisdair Crawford, Oliver Crotty, Olly Cruickshank, Max Culleton, Jack Culshaw, Layton Curtis, Ruan Daniels, Ethan Davenport-Hewitt, Ollie Davidson, Ben Davies, Matt Davis, Gian De Negri, Cohen Denton, Tom Denton, Karam Dhari, Caleb Dobson, Hawaiiki Docherty-Parete, Kaushik Doley, Nic Donnelly, Blake Dowdall, Liam Dreaneen-Kerr, Jamie Driver, Shloke Dutta, Robbie Dyer, Ashton Eales, Hugo Early, Hunter Eastwood, Josh Edwards, Jim Eglinton, Jack Ellison, Lorence Faatasi, Zi-Yang Fan, Coll Ferguson, Damian Fifita, Taine Flutey, Zack Foot, Will Fortune, Johnny Fowler, Isaac Fox, Samuel Franklin-Browne, Pita Fuafiva, John Garrovillo, Logan Gloyn, Ryan Goodall, Isaac Gray, Conor Greaney, Aymon Greatbatch, William Grieve, YanWu Guan, Dimitri Hales, Caleb Hamblyn, Abdel Hamidah, Charlie Hancock, Joe Hansen, Ben Harre, Ryan Harrison, Max Hart, Noah Harvey-Murphy, Blake Haswell, Darcy Hill, Rhys Hobdey, Hamiora Horua, Fletcher Hoskins, Baxter Hoskins, Alex Hunter, Muhammad Hussaini, Carlo Isaac, Grayson Jackson, Harry Jackson-Vile, Fraser James, Hadley James, Harvey Johnson, Juan Joseph, Olen Juru, Alvi Kabir, Aperahama Kahukoti, Karan Kang, Ben Kang, Lucas Kempthorne, Dylan Kenny, Leejun Kim, Austin Kinaston, Moss Knowles, Rossen Kostourkov, Toby Lamberton, Jordin Last-Harris, Fletcher Law, Gabe Lee, Levi Lett, Micah Lewis, Roger Lin, Jacob Little, Alo Logan Junior Lokeni, Hamish Lunn, Jayden Mabey, Ethan MacDonald, Jake Mackay, Tom Mackay, Caleb Maddocks, Vincent Malazarte, Boston Maniapoto, Kyran Maniapoto-Ohlson, Tiaki Manu, Dylan Mark, Marcel Marsters-Taniwha, James Martin, Quentin Martin-Ganotan, Thomas Mason, Blake Massicks, Romahn McDonald, Preston McErlean, Kaleb McKay, Alex McLeod, Nate McTamney, Sione Metui, Zavier Mitchell-Kouttab, Nazir MitchellKouttab, Arman Mohd Ridzuan, Rakena Mohi, Jarreau Mohi-Henare, Josiah Moonsamy, Taylor Moore, Nathan Morgan, Dominic Moyle, Yahya Muhammed Ali, Robbie Munro, Riley Murphy, Daniel Newson, Oscar O’Brien, Regan O’Connor, Shea O’Hara, Felix O’Neill, Emmanuel Onyema, Reaubeurt Orpia, Garrick Otto, Alex Palazzo, Bryn Pearson, Riley Peauafi, Munish Pediredla, Charlie Pedley, Jonathan Peel, Ben Phillips, Jonathan Pinkney, Charlie Powell, Sakthi Prabhu, Miller Priest-O’Hara, Alex Pringle, Jack Puanaki, Abdal Qarmash, Atta Rahim, Mousam Rai, Nikhil Rana, Junior Randle, Arif Rangkuti, Ihaka Rapira, Yusha’ Rasheed, James Rattray, Benny Rattray, Tommy Read, Rylan Reille, William Revell, Farhad Rezai, Ariz Riaz, Leighton Riley, Bradie Robson, Ethan Rojthanapongsa, Lucas Rusk, Ayatullah Sanusi, Edmar Saribay, Kalahni Sa’u-Tuputala, Chemin Seetongoon, Santiago Shadbolt, Alex Sharpe, Zack Sharratt, Quinn Shearman, Asher Sinclair, Robin Singh, Cam Smillie, Riley Smith, Oli Smith, Eric Sojan, Riley Somerville, Henry Speedy, Silas Steer, Joe Stevenson, Jack Stock, Dan Stott, Sam Stratford, Basantha Subba, Clark Sutcliffe, Taonga Takitimu-Laws, Dharnel TamatiFotualii, Afu Taumoepeau, Alec Taurua-McKay, Lucas Taylor, Angus Taylor, Tydde Thomas-Connor, Tyler Thompson, Zac Trail, Chann Trin, Cory Tuimana, Lochie Underwood, Juan van der Spuy, Caden Van Wyk, Ethan Veale, Jamie Viljoen, Benjamin Viljoen, J P Vinsen, Liam Voysey, Trin Wagener, Te Rau Walker, Tyler-Jay Wallace, Jesse Wallace, Toby Walmsley, Zi Xian Wang, Lucas Warren, Alex Waters, Kayde Watson, TJ WaudbyJohnston, Peter Whippy, Logan White, Leo White, Jake Whitley, Zion William, Darcy Wilson, Caleb Wilson, Te Wano Winiata-Enoka, Calum Wipaki, Jakob Wong, Eric Wong, Ruben Woods, Zachery Woollett, Ethan Worsley, Diaz Wright, Gabriel Young, Preslee Young, Anthony Yuan, Steven Zhang.NCEA Level 3Hudson Aish, Jack Aitken-Cade, Daniel Alefaio, Akshay Aneesh, Charles Arnold, Tayyab Asif, Luke Atienza, Nikhil Baine, Dhruv Banerjee, Sean Baxter, Phoenix Berry, Sheraz Bhalli, Angus Bilsland, Logan Boyd, Daniel Bramley, Chris Brider, Edmund Brown, Addison Brown-Floyd, Lachlan Brownlie, Andrew Buchan, Ruadhan Buckland, Brodie Campbell, William Campbell, Joshua Carroll, Cillian Carroll, Kexu Chen, Angus Chiles, Junhee Cho, Alex Christensen, Caleb Christian, Matthew Cook, Charlie Cottrill, Louis Crawford, Gabriel Crisp, Ben Crocker, Ryder Crosswell, Massimo Da Ros, Aidan Dassler, Ben Ditchfield, Lucas Dixon, Zach Doyle, Oliver Duncan, Freddie Dunn, Jayden Evans, Taylor Field, Ryan Fong, Ernest Fowler, Jesse Franks, Carter Fuldseth,

378 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025Cooper Furnell, Isaac Gray, Jinghao Guo, Lucas Haas da Silva, Joshua Harrison, Sam Hawinkels, George Hayman, Jaden Hita, Carlo Hodgson, Patrick Holmes, Enzo House, Peter Hughes, Tom Hughes, Harrison Hull, Alex Hunter, Nabeel Imtiyaz, Kruiz Ioane, Ben Irwin, Joel Jainarain, Mason Johanson, Quin Johnson, Matthew Johnston, Juan Joseph, Angus Just, Kade Kareko, Rome Kearney, Michael Kelly, Hunter Kennedy, Tyler Kokko, Edrich Kruger, Sharath Kunchala, Nakul Lakhani, Amol Lal, Ben Lawrie, Jacob Lean, Matty Leary, Zachary Lee, Yoav Lipsky, Tristan Little, Jacob Little, Hayden Lourie, Gray Lourie, Oliver Lu, Kazuki Macdonald, Javier Magaisa, Keenan Magaisa, Chonlawat Mahasuvirachai, Vincent Malazarte, Tama Matena-Williams, Robert May, Lochie McTamney, Alejo Mejia Sanchez, Sione Metui, Lucas Mildenhall, Ashton Molloy, Kyan Mori, Ben Murdoch, Harvey Myers, Nicholas Nagy, Bailey Ngatai-Cribb, Adiel Ngirazi, Oscar O’Brien, Reagan O’Hara, Jack Osborne, Ryan Pearce, Stanley Pettengill, Jed Pettit-Court, Jonathan Pinkney, Ronin Potgieter, Richard Power, Johnny Pratt, Jack Puanaki, Abdal Qarmash, Sameer Rana, Joseph Ratcliffe, Mackenzie Rate, Nadith Rathnayake, James Rattanak, Jack Redington, Ariz Riaz, Will Roberts, Tristan Rosales, Jack Rowe, Sam Salter, Ayatullah Sanusi, Richie Schaaf, Anton Schoeman, Harkaran Sidhu, Suraj Singamsetty, Quinn Sinkinson, Luke Smillie, Toby Smit, Oliver Song, Matthew Sorrell, Ryan Stott, Clark Sutcliffe, Sione Taeiloa, Ali Tariq, Luca Tatana, Mason Teitinga, Riley Theobald, Allwin Thomas, Bradley Tocker, Frank Tombs, Simon Ton, Ian Tsui, Logan Turner, Shay Uri-Erihe, Tiaan Venter, Nicolas Verry, Blair Verry, Liam Voysey, Zihao Wang, Jeremy Wang, Charlie Weatherall, Lien White, Corban Wildbore, Austin Williams, Alex Willis, Connor Wilson, Troy Wong, Camden Woodroofe, Steven Zhang, Tony Zhou, Nicholas Zhou, Edward Zyzalo.Year 11 NCEA Level 1 and 2Jakob Abernethy, Farhaal Ahmed, Cooper Aish, Jayden Barnes, Estijan Basson, Ishmam Biswas, Lochy Black, Grayson Cattle, Jacob Cavan, Luca Cockrell, Samuel Codd, Karam Dhari, Kaushik Doley, Jamie Driver, Shloke Dutta, Lorence Faatasi, Zi-Yang Fan, Will Fortune, Johnny Fowler, Samuel Franklin-Browne, Pita Fuafiva, Conor Greaney, Dimitri Hales, Hadley James, Leejun Kim, Rossen Kostourkov, Fletcher Law, Gabe Lee, Roger Lin, Nate McTamney, Jonathan Peel, Sakthi Prabhu, Atta Rahim, Nikhil Rana, Yusha’ Rasheed, William Revell, Santiago Shadbolt, Alex Sharpe, Quinn Shearman, Cam Smillie, Silas Steer, Dan Stott, Dharnel Tamati-Fotualii, Angus Taylor, Tyler Thompson, Ethan Veale, Benjamin Viljoen, Jesse Wallace, Zi Xian Wang, Lucas Warren, Alex Waters, Leo White, Eric Wong, Anthony Yuan.Year 12 NCEA Level 2 and 3Daniel Alefaio, Akshay Aneesh, Tayyab Asif, Nikhil Baine, Dhruv Banerjee, Angus Bilsland, Logan Boyd, Edmund Brown, Andrew Buchan, Cillian Carroll, Kexu Chen, Angus Chiles, Louis Crawford, Ben Ditchfield, Jayden Evans, Ryan Fong, Jinghao Guo, Sam Hawinkels, George Hayman, Enzo House, Peter Hughes, Tom Hughes, Harrison Hull, Alex Hunter, Ben Irwin, Michael Kelly, Hunter Kennedy, Edrich Kruger, Nakul Lakhani, Ben Lawrie, Jacob Lean, Matty Leary, Yoav Lipsky, Gray Lourie, Oliver Lu, Adiel Ngirazi, Oscar O’Brien, Jack Osborne, Stanley Pettengill, Jonathan Pinkney, Abdal Qarmash, Nadith Rathnayake, Oliver Song, Allwin Thomas, Simon Ton, Logan Turner, Tiaan Venter, Blair Verry, Liam Voysey, Jeremy Wang, Austin Williams.NZQA SCHOLARSHIP RESULTS 2024 A summary of the scholarship gained follows. Note * denotes Scholarship received with Outstanding Performance. The student’s year level is shown in brackets.Jesse Akepogu (13) - English; Dhruv Banerjee (12) - Mathematics with Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics and Modelling; Edmund Brown (12) - Physics; Patrick Canham (13) - Accounting; Kexu Chen (12) - Mathematics with Calculus, Accounting; Matthew Cook (13) - Design; Ben Ditchfield (12) - Accounting; Tim Harjes (13) - Physics; Teo Jauregui-Na (13) - Mathematics with Calculus; Gray Lourie (12) - English; Abdal Qarmash (12) - Statistics and Modelling; Toby Rea (13) - Statistics and Modelling, Physics, Chemistry; Scott Sun (13) - Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics with Calculus; Simon Ton (12) - Accounting, Chemistry, English; Jack Trotter (13) - Accounting; Matthew Wongchoti (13) – English.NZQA NCEA 2024 Excellence EndorsementsNCEA Level endorsements at each of the three levels of the NCEA qualification.NZQA Level One NCEA 2024 Excellence EndorsementsThe following students gained Excellence Endorsements at Level One.Year 11: Farhaal Ahmed, Ishmam Biswas, Grayson Cattle, Luca Cockrell, Samuel Codd, Will Fortune, Roger Lin, Sakthi Prabhu, Atta Rahim, Yusha’ Rasheed, Alex Sharpe, Silas Steer.NZQA Level Two NCEA 2024 Excellence EndorsementsThe following students gained Excellence Endorsements at Level Two.Year 11: Farhaal Ahmed, Ishmam Biswas, Lorence Faatasi, Zi-Yang Fan, Leejun Kim, Jonathan Peel, Sakthi Prabhu, Yusha’ Rasheed, Silas Steer, Tyler Thompson, Benjamin Viljoen.Year 12: Ryan Burmeister, Oliver Crotty, Ryan Goodall, Alex Hunter, Liam Voysey. NZQA Level Three NCEA 2024 Excellence Endorsements

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 379PRIZEGIVING 2024YEAR 9 Most Improved 9BD - Kavin PrabhuFirst in 9BD - Jacob ConwellMost Improved 9DB - Sonny Buerkeman First in 9DB - Jimmy SaltMost Improved 9GH - Reid CollisFirst in 9GH - Mitchell BerryMost Improved 9LN - Hayden CockburnFirst in 9LN - Daniel O’NeillMost Improved 9MH - Jacob CarterFirst in 9MH - Hunter RoutMost Improved 9ML - Aiden CattleFirst in 9ML - Arrayyan KhanMost Improved 9ML - Brendon KirbyFirst in 9ML- Felix HoldawayMost Improved 9MX - Cohen ParlatoFirst in 9MX - Masaki WadaMacdonaldMost Improved 9NB - Shaun WangFirst in 9NB - Lewis IvesMost Improved 9NC - Travis PuklowskiFirst in 9NC - Raven BirondoMost Improved 9OG - Ethan ScottFirst in 9OG - Oliver GoreMost Improved 9RS - Riley CollisFirst in 9RS - Josh BelcherMost Improved 9SH - Jack BusuttinFirst in 9SH - Ashton LittlejohnMost Improved 9SN - Joseph SteerFirst in 9SN - Ollie HalewoodMost Improved 9SW - Taylor ScaddenFirst in 9SW - Franco LourensMost Improved 9TD - Quade MesarichFirst in 9TD- Edward CorkeryMost Improved 9TT - Jhuztin Sibal First in 9TT- Raanesh RajeshkumarMost Improved 9WS - David McKayFirst in 9WS - Noah WestFirst in Commerce - Trilay PatelFirst Current Events - Mason FryerFallowfieldFirst in English - Daniel KhademiFirst English Support - Reid CollisFirst in English Language Tuition - William LiFirst in French - Nathan TootellFirst in Option French - Preston Gowland-RileyFirst in German - Edward CorkeryFirst in Option German - Sebastian Le RouxFirst in Agriculture and Horticulture - Brendan GoodallFirst in Japanese - Rise OkadaFirst in Option Japanese - James HarveyFirst in Te Reo Māori - Campbell BannerFirst in Mathematics - Trilay PatelFirst in Music Studies - Panepasa FaletaogoFirst in Performance Music - Felix HoldawayFirst in Physical Education - Liam O’DeaFirst in Science - Daniel KhademiFirst in Social Studies - Ollie HalewoodFirst in Sports Development - Will HoganFirst in Design and Visual Communication - Jaxon McDowellFirst in Technology - Metal - William ColeFirst in Technology - Wood - Lachie BrasellFirst in Visual Art - Wolfe ChaseYEAR 10 Most Improved 10BX - Zack NoonanFirst in 10BX- Darcy FunnellMost Improved 10DK - Andrew ThongFirst in 10DK - Rian KerrFirst in 10DT - Josiah LoMost Improved 10GU - Max JohnsonyFirst in 10GU - Hunter NixonMost Improved 10HG - Tom WilkinsonFirst in 10HG - Lucas FosterMost Improved 10HP - Andrew GaultFirst in 10HP - Cameron SmithMost Improved 10KR - Joti KeoFirst in 10KR - Nathan GloynMost Improved 10MA - Thomas ChildsFirst in 10MA - Fynn BusuttinMost Improved 10MA - Ben GoodwinFirst in 10MA - Mason TreadwellMost Improved 10MC - Issac MurrayFirst in 10MC - Kaden Sa’u-TuputalaMost Improved 10MS - Brooklyn LarsenFirst in 10MS - Flynn VenterFirst in 10PA - Bao Minh PhanMost Improved 10PR - Tom GoodwinFirst i First in 10PR - Joseph CushnahanMost Improved 10RB - Zach ViningFirst in 10RB - Sha HserMost Improved 10TM - Kobe TaiaroaFirst in 10TM - Cameron McGrathMost Improved 10TR - Miller O’RileyFirst in 10TR - Marc KaiserMost Improved 10VT - Korbin McConchieFirst in 10VT - Miller AndrewFirst in Art - Digital - John-Paul HalatokouaFirst in Art - Visual - Daniel FuafivaFirst in Commerce - Chris BraggFirst in Accelerate Commerce - Bao Minh PhanFirst in Current Events - Jaden DurstonFirst in Digital Technology - Micah SouthernFirst in Design and Visual Communication - Tom CruickshankFirst in Drama - John-Paul HalatokouaFirst in English Language Tuition - Senitha DinudayaFirst in English - Gibson MooresFirst in English Support - Arrayyan Khan First in English Language Tuition - Jayson HuangFirst in French - Samuel GreatheadFirst in German - Peter ClementsFirst in Horticulture - Darcy FunnellFirst in Japanese - Vidhi SharmaFirst in Mathematics - Jakob BishopFirst in Music Studies - Quinn GuerinFirst = in New Zealand Studies - Darcy Funnell, Harry KiddFirst in Performance Music - Landon LauFirst in Physical Education - Cody ClarkeFirst in Physical Education studeis - Oliver LeanFirst in Science - Miller AndrewFirst in Social Studies - Marc KaiserFirst in Accelerate Social Studies - Grayson CattleFirst in Sports Development - Robert BosherFirst = in Sports Science - Robert Bosher, Lachie WhitleyFirst in Te Reo Māori - Manaaki RapiraFirst in Technology - Metal - Miller AndrewFirst in Technology - Wood - Johnny ChatterleyLEVEL 1 AWARDFirst in Mathematics - Bao Minh PhanFirst in Science - Reagan BrodersonFirst in Accelerate Social Studies - Peter ClementsSPORT AWARDSJunior Road Race - Year 9 - Jai ParrisJunior Road Race - Year 10 - Jarvis ShawCULTURAL AWARDSAlison Dickinson Award - For European Languages - Ettiene DanielsCULTURAL AND SPORTING HIGH ACHIEVERSCultural and Sporting High Achievers For young men who have achieved at a very high level in thier respective activitiesBlake Johnston - MusicCooper Taura - BasketballYusuf Shafiul - AthleticsGrayson Sullivan-Jones - GymnasticsElye Taunoa Knight - BasketballFelix Holdaway - MusicZi Bo Wang - MusicJacob Lauridsen - Performing ArtsWill Hogan - AthleticsLiam O’Dea - Cycling & Track CyclingJai Parris - Multi SportsGus Wescott - MusicHaoyan Bai - MusicJacob Hassan - AthleticsJosh Belcher - SoftballNicolas Chen - MusicConnor Phillips - Hockey Xaviah Marumaru - BasketballTyler Mathews - SoftballKaden Te Huna - BasketballLogan Garrett - CricketThe following students gained Excellence Endorsements at Level Three.Year 12: Akshay Aneesh, Dhruv Banerjee, Edmund Brown, Cillian Carroll, Louis Crawford, Ben Ditchfield, George Hayman, Gray Lourie, Oliver Lu, Adiel Ngirazi, Simon Ton, Blair Verry.Year 13: Alex Christensen, Matthew Cook.

380 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025Rian Hocken - CricketJosh Levy - Hockey James Marshall - BasketballOllie Read - Rugby Leo Webb - Mountain BikingLachie Whitley - CricketToby Gaffaney - Muay ThaiArchie Giesen - Hockey & Cricket Jonty Skerman - Mountain Biking & Rugby Moritz Thonfeld - RugbyCameron Smith - Mountain BikingJericho Tiakiwai-Baker - FootballSoren Kururangi - AthleticsHendrix Young - BasketballLogan Dowdall - Cycling & Track CyclingFlynn Balfour - CyclingAlex Bennett - MotocrossJoshua Lendrum - Clay Target ShootingReuben Rose - Athletics & FootballTristan Taylor - MusicCooper Bramwell - Athletics & Hockey Luca Steinmetz - HockeyCole Buchanan - MusicCooper Jones - FootballJarrod Amey - MotocrossSam Cole - Surf Life SavingKorbin McConchie - MotocrossMitchell Wolland - Cycling & HockeyMEMORIAL AWARDSRoss Irwin Memorial Essay - Gibson MooresJesse Neilson Philips Memorial Trophy - For Year 9 personal achievement - Zac ChandlerLeon Maka Memorial Trophy - For all-round participation in Year 9 - Max ChaseChris Old Memorial Cup - For determination, involvement, courage, dedication and sportsmanship in Year 10 - Lachie DuffyHsing-Yu (Jason) Ma Memorial Trophy - For an ESOL student displaying an outstanding work ethic and moving between different cultures - Hameed Muhammad JumaBalsillie Scholarship - Eli St GeorgeJimmy Crosswell Memorial Trophy- For European Languages - Alex JamiesonALL-ROUND EXCELLENCEIan McKay Family Cup - for outstanding sporting and academic pursuits in Year 9 - Will HoganAndrew Morton Trophy - Sam HenryHornblow Brothers Cup - for outstanding sporting and academic pursuits in Year 10 - Josh LevyBarry Mora Cup - For outstanding Cultural and academic pursuits in year 9 - Nicolas ChenPat Hanly Cup - For outstanding Cultural and academic pursuits in year 10 - Landon Lau, Josh EylesGeorge Petersen Cup - For academic excellence in Year 9 - Ollie HalewoodBill Kermode Cup - For academic excellence in Year 10 - Josiah Lo, Bao Minh PhanLEVEL 1First = in Agriculture and Horticulture - Shaun Betts, Flynn VenterFirst in Art Digital - James EvansFirst in Art - Visual - Atta RahimFirst in Commerce - Ronald SunFirst in Construction - Cooper PowerFirst in Design and Visual Communication - Cooper StephensonFirst in Digital Technologies - Lorence FaatasiFirst in Drama - Campbell MackintoshFirst in Electronics - Xylys D’silvaFirst in English - Chris SmithFirst in Alternate English - Hunter BrowneFirst in English Language Tuition - Bhumidol NgampichesFirst in French - Will FortuneFirst in German - Samuel FranklinBrowneFirst in Geography - Jonty BunnyFirst in Health - Ali Raza Nouroz AliFirst in History - Dylan Tyler-HirstFirst in Japanese - Sora MoriyamaFirst in Joinery - Senitha DinudayaFirst in Te Reo Maori - Lenny HansenWallFirst in Maori Performing Arts - Roman MasonFirst in Mechanical Engineering - Sean WilsonFirst = in Performance Music - Benjamin Viljoen, Jesse WallaceFirst in Sports Science - Dan StottLEVEL 2First = in Accounting - Munish Pediredla, Dylan BevanFirst in Agriculture - Olly Cruickshank First in Horticulture - Hamish LunnFirst = in Art - Design - Thomas Masonk, Ryan BurmeisterFirst in Art - Painting - Josh EdwardsFirst in Art - Photography - Robbie DyerFirst in Automotive - Nathan MorganFirst in Biology - Sakthi PrabhuFirst in Business Studies - Cohen DentonFirst in Calculus - Leejun KimFirst in Chemistry - Leejun KimFirst in Classical Studies - Zavier Mitchell-KouttabFirst in Construction - Quinn CollisFirst in Design and Visual Communication - Rhys HobdeyFirst in Digital Technologies -Nathan Morgan First in Drama - Isaac FoxFirst in Economics - Riley MurphyFirst in Electronics - Peter HughesFirst in English - Benjamin ViljoenFirst in Alternate English - Charlie PowellFirst in English Language Tuition - Abdulquyyum SanusiFirst in French - Ben LawrieFirst in Geography - Sakthi PrabhuFirst in German - Aidan BrownFirst = in Health - Matty Leary, Zack SharrattFirst in High Performance Sport - Hunter KennedyFirst in History - Benjamin ViljoenFirst in Japanese - Nakul LakhaniFirst in Joinery - Benny RattrayFirst in Māori Performing Arts - Ihaka RapiraFirst in Mathematics - Dylan BevanFirst in Mechanical Engineering - Charlie PedleyFirst in Media Studies - William RevellFirst in Performance Music - Stanley PettengillFirst in Physics - Alex SharpeFirst in Science - Kobe BoylanFirst in Sports and Exercise Studies - Nic DonnellyFirst in Sports Science - Cohen DentonFirst in Statistics - Leejun KimFirst in Te Reo Māori - Armani MasonYEAR 12 ACCELERATE AWARDSFirst in Accounting - Blair VerryFirst in Biology - Simon TonFirst in Business Studies - Ben DitchfieldFirst in Calculus - Simon TonFirst in Chemistry - Ryan FongFirst in Classics - Stanley PettengillFirst in Economics - Akshay AneeshFirst in English - Simon TonFirst in Geography - Jayden EvansFirst in History - Oliver CrottyFirst in Physics - Simon TonFirst in Statistics - Alex HunterFirst in Te Reo Māori - Te Wano Winiata-EnokaLEVEL 3First in Accounting - Nicholas ZhouFirst in Agriculture and Horticulture- Jack Aitken-CadeFirst in Art - Design - Matthew CookFirst in Art - Painting - Lucas DixonFirst in Art - Photography - Mackenzie RateFirst in Automotive - Tyler KokkoFirst in Biology - Ian TsuiFirst in Business Studies - Harvey MyersFirst in Chemistry - Suraj SingamsettyFirst in Classical Studies - Mason TeitingaFirst in Construction - Toby SmitFirst in Design and Visual Communication - Matthew CookFirst in Digital Technologies - Nakul LakhaniFirst in Drama - Jesse FranksFirst in Economics - Benjamin TransomFirst in Electronics - William GilesFirst in English - Zihao WangFirst in English Language Tuition - Steven ZhangFirst in French - Scott SunFirst in Geography - Nicholas ZhouFirst in Health - Freddie DunnFirst in High Performance Sport - Freddie DunnFirst in History - Quentin Durston First in Japanese - Gray LourieFirst in Joinery - Anuroda SubbaFirst in Māori Performing Arts - Hawaiiki Docherty-PareteFirst in Mathematics - Anton SchoemanFirst in Mechanical Engineering - Ben CrockerFirst in Media Studies - Kade KarekoFirst in Performance Music - Alex ChristensenFirst in Physics - Patrick HolmesFirst in PITO - Oliver DuncanFirst in Puhoro - Quentin DurstonFirst in Sport and Exercise Studies - Ryan HarrisonFirst in Statistics - Finley HillFirst in Sports Science - Tariq BillinghurstFirst in Te Reo Māori - Ihaka RapiraFirst in UCOL - U Skills course - Tiwai BellisYEAR 13 ADVANCED SUBJECTSFirst in Advanced Accounting - Jack TrotterFirst in Advanced Biology - Jesse Akepogu

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 381First in Advanced Calculus - Kexu ChenFirst in Advanced Chemistry - Scott SunFirst in Advanced Economics - Kieran GillFirst in Advanced English - Saem MillwardFirst in Advanced History - Jesse AkepoguFirst in Advanced Physics - Tim HarjesFirst in Advanced Statistics - Jayden MilbankFirst in Advanced Te Reo Māori - Quentin DurstonCLUB AWARDSAlbion - Club Captain: CJ Reid - Whitehead Family Cup for Leadership in Albion Club, Chess - Sims Trophy, Football - Cutler CupGordon - Club Captain: Zinzan Deans-Emery - Doolan Family Cup for Leadership in Gordon Club, Cricket - Butler Cup Kia Ora - Club Captain: Sam McKerras - Fountain/Love Cup for leadership in Kia Ora Club, Choral - Young Trophy, Table Tennis - Denis Duffy Cup, Tennis - Andrews CupMurray - Club Captain: Jack Trotter - Monrad Cup - Physical Education, Road Race - Denton Cup, Rugby - Waldegrave Cup, Squash - Gordon Hughes / Walker Cup, Swimming - Davonport, Marching - Ross Brown Baton, Athletics - Louisson Cup, Athletics Relays - Robin Doyle Memorial Trophy, Shand ShieldPhoenix - Club Captain: Leo Mwape - Leighton Family Cup, Debating - Elwood Cup, Hockey - Mummery Cup, Volleyball - Chang Cup, Swimming - Davonport Vernon - Club Captain: Kieran Gill - Duncan McKay Memorial Cup for Leadership in Vernon ClubCULTURAL AWARDS Brent R Costley Cup - for the best year 13 debater - Leo MwapeAlison Dickinson Cup - for European Languages - Ramis AliBurton Cup - for outstanding contribution to the Dramatic Performing Arts - Campbell MackintoshThe Kilsby Cup - for excellence in Drama - Jesse FranksKapa Haka Award - for excellence in and commitment to Kapa Haka - Aperahama KahukotiBevan Cup - for outstanding musicianship - Scott Sun, Mike SungWinston Hoare Cup - for outstanding leadership and contribution to school music - Camden WoodroofePasifika Leadership Award - Trophy - Sione MetuiLancaster Cup - for best Year 13 public speaker - Leo MwapeLEVEL THREE BARROWCLOUGH EXCELLENCE AWARD Gabriel CrispFreddie DunnFinley HillPatrick HolmesScott Sun Nicholas ZhouTariq BillinghurstAlex ChristensenQuentin Durston Jesse FranksMahiro HadaTristan LittleSaem MillwardRyan Shearer Benjamin ShirleyJack TrotterNicolas VerryMatthew WongchotiCamden Woodroofe Jesse AkepoguZach DoyleSuraj SingamsettyMike SungDUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLDMatty LearyHONOURS TIESBenjamin Shirley - Artistic Roller SkatingJacob Lean - AthleticsLucas Mildenhall - BasketballSam Hawinkels - Canoe PoloDeclan Howell - Clay Target ShootingHayden Lourie - Clay Target ShootingJacob Little - Clay Target ShootingBenjamin Transom - Clay Target ShootingMax Hart - CricketFilip Martin - CyclingNikhil Baine - DanceJake Maskill - DanceCamden Woodroofe - DanceTyler Thompson - Debating Tristan Little - DramaAiden Foster - FootballFrank Tombs- FootballMahiro Hada- FootballOllie Davidson - HockeyZachary Lee - HockeyRiley Theobald - HockeyCarter Fuldseth - HockeyWill Roberts - HockeyJack Aitken-Cade - Junior Young FarmerNicolas Verry - Junior Young FarmerKiahn Burt - KartingPatrick Holmes - KartingJamie Bennett - MotocrossBlake Dowdall - Motor SportJonty Williamson - Moutain BikingJesse Wallace - Music and Performing ArtsArmani Whitehead-Wilson - Music and Performing ArtsBen Kang - Music and Performing ArtsZak Barzak - Music and Performing ArtsScott Sun - Music and Performing ArtsJunhee Cho - Music and Performing ArtsSaem Millward - Music and Performing ArtsMike Sung - Music and Performing ArtsTeo Jauregui-Na - Music and Performing ArtsJosh Irwin - OfficiatingHarry Eden - OfficiatingSam McKerras - Olympic Weight LiftingLeo Mwape - Oratory Jakob Abernethy - OrienteeringAlex Palazzo - RugbyJamie Viljoen - RugbyManase Toumohuni - RugbyTevita Fakahau - RugbyCazna Sale - RugbyClark Sutcliffe - RugbyRyder Crosswell - RugbyBradley Tocker - RugbyAlex Sharpe - Small Bore ShootingRyder Crosswell - Rugby LeagueJoseph Ratcliffe - Rugby LeagueJaden Hita - SoftballBrodie Bennett - SquashGeorge Fell - Surf Life SavingEric Wong - SwimmingAlex Willis - SwimmingJoshua Carroll - SwimmingAkshay Aneesh - Table TennisFelix O’Neill - Tae Kwon DoCooper Mollet - 10 Pin Bowling Zachery Woollett - Track CyclingMoe Sekona - Volleyball Nicolas Verry - Angus ForumJacob Lean - MultisportRuadhan Buckland - Small Bore ShootingKade Kareko - Performing ArtsAperahama Kahukoti - MāoriIhaka Rapira - MāoriCAP BOXESAiden Foster - Football - 92 gamesZachary Lee - Hockey - 125 matchesRiley Theobald - Hockey - 139 matchesCarter Fuldseth - Hockey - 104 matchesWill Roberts - Hockey - 142 matchesMEMORIAL AWARDSJohn Prestige Memorial Shield - for contribution to the school concert band - Teo Jauregui-NaLen Sullivan Cup - For the best Level 3 Graphics student - Matthew CookBalsillie Scholarship - Oscar O’BrienRobert Young Memorial Scholarship- For academic excellence from a Year 12 student - Simon TonW.G. Black Memorial Scholarship - For academic excellence from a Year 12 student - Ben DitchfieldRoss Irwin Memorial Essay - Simon TonTodd Dury Memorial Trophy - For determination and commitment to academic pursuits and prowess in school sport - Cillian CarrollCarlton Fogg Memorial Trophy - For personal achievement in Year 12 - Joe HansenStubbs Memorial Trophy - For allround participation and outstanding service in the senior school - Saem MillwardLyndon Potts Memorial Trophy - For outstanding character and diligence - Jack TrotterRichard Absolon Memorial Trophy- For outstanding qualities of fitness, courage, determination and dedication - Sam McKerrasDawson Tamatea Memorial Trophy- A student of Maori descent who displays many of the following qualities: kindness, hospitality, generosity, humility; respect towards other students, staff and the wider community; encouraging of others, positive and cheerful attitude, sense of humour and loyal - Quentin DurstonPalmerston North Returned Services Association Trust Award - for commendable leadership and sportsmanship, and having shown an interest in and concern for those who are less fortunate - Jake MaskillRoy E. Clevely Prize - For outstanding achievement in Art -Matthew Cook

382 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025ALL-ROUND EXCELLENCEStephenson Family Cup - for character, integrity and leadership in Year 11 - Leejun KimJohn Reid Cup - for outstanding academic achievement in Year 11 - Leejun KimVictor Pollard Cup - Awarded for Outstanding Sporting endeavour in Year 11 - Brodie BennettGraham Family Cup - for outstanding sporting and extracurricular achievements in Year 11 - Jesse WallaceNewman Award - for determination and perseverance in academic and sporting activities - Jamie BennettHodder Brothers Cup - for outstanding academic and sporting pursuits by a senior student - Mahiro HadaStuart Cup - for outstanding service to the school - Tristan LittleOram Cup - for outstanding performance in school sport across a range of codes - Jacob LeanFred Hollows Award - For outstanding achievement - Tariq BillinghurstMan of Outstanding Character Award- for the Year 13 student recognised by his peers as displaying outstanding character - Matthew JohnstonSCHOLARSHIP TERTIARY STUDYAgri Futures Scholarship - Jack Aitken-Cade, Jamie BennettLambie Centennial Scholarship - for excellence through hard work and is studying at a tertiary level next year - Thomas Revell, Nicolas VerryUniversity of Auckland Vaka Moana Scholarship - Hugo LiuvaieUniversity of Auckland Maori Academic Excellence Scholarship - Quentin DurstonUniversity of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship - intending to further his studies at Auckland University - Jason Gui, Scott Sun, Jesse Akepogu, Mike SungUniversity of Auckland 140th Anniversary Academic Scholarship -Adi Singh HomsUniversity of Auckland Academic Potential Scholarship - Saem MillwardUniversity of Waikato Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement - Yacob AlemuMassey University Academy of Sport Scholarship - Benjamin ShirleyMassey University Business School Trade and Enterprise Challenge - Fletcher LochheadUniversity of Otago 150th Entrance Scholarship - Jayden Milbank, Camden WoodroofeUniversity of Otago Leaders of Tomorrow Entrance Scholarship - George Hayman, Jamie Bennett, Tariq Billinghurst, Leo Mwape, Jack TrotterUniversity of Otago Maori Entrance Scholarship - Massimo Da Ros, Lucas MildenhallUniversity of Evansville USA Academic Merit Scholarship - Alex WillisVictoria University Wellington Global Exchange Programme - Patrick CanhamSCHOLARSHIPVerdict Cafe Scholarship - for contribution to PNBHS - Matthew Johnston, Ryan ShearerArgyle Scholarship - for contribution to PNBHS - Leo MwapeRector’s Scholarship - for contribution to PNBHS - Junhee Cho, Alex Christensen, Carter Fuldseth, Nicolas Verry Rectors Prize for the Head Prefect - for contribution to PNBHS - Jake MaskillDavid Syms Bursary - for academic excellence - Nicholas Zhou, Matthew Wongchoti, Max Hodgson, Mike Sung, Teo Jauregui-NaTim O’Connor Bursary - for academic excellence - Scott Sun, Patrick Canham, Quentin Durston, Kieran Gill, Saem MillwardPNBHS Scholarship - for academic excellence - Tim Harjes, Jayden Milbank, Jack TrotterBRADLEY TOCKER MIKE SUNG TOBY REAPREMIER AWARDSDux Ludorum Benjamin Shirley - Runner up Dux Ludorum Bradley Tocker - Dux Ludorum Dux Artium Camden Woodroofe - Runner up Dux Artium Mike Sung - Dux ArtiumDux Litterarum Jesse Akepogu - Proxime Accessit Toby Rea - Dux Litterarum

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 383SPORTS & CULTURAL PRIZEGIVING 2024Level One Barrowclough Merit AwardYear 11Oliver LambertonNathanael McNamaraCorbyn DekkerHan ParkBenjamin ThorneGeorge CrockerRaymond LiJames MintonFarhaal Ahmed Grayson CattleLiam JurgensDaniel TransomAshton TrotterJacob Dawber Campbell MackintoshLenny Hansen-WallCledwyn ChawanjiColin Qin William SorIshmam BiswasZi-Yang FanPita FuafivaSakthi PrabhuAlex SharpeSilas SteerTyler Thompson Benjamin ViljoenEric WongAnthony YuanFilip MartinJakob AbernethyLorence FaatasiSamuel Franklin-BrowneLeejun Kim Roger LinJonathan PeelAtta RahimYusha’ RasheedWilliam RevellAngus Taylor Dylan PearsonArmani Whitehead-WilsonYear 12Dhruv BanerjeeSam HawinkelsBen Lawrie Ramis AliTiaan VenterAustin WilliamsLevel Two Barrowclough Badge AwardYear 12 Jakob WongThomas MasonDarcy WilsonOllie DavidsonAngus ChilesCharlie Chisholm Max CongdonAlisdair CrawfordBen HarreHenry Speedy Manu ToaAkshay AneeshHenry BoveyCillian CarrollLouis CrawfordBen DitchfieldRyan FongGeorge Hayman Nakul Lakhani Jacob LeanMatty LearyGray Lourie Stanley PettengillJunior RandleNadith RathnayakeMatthew CampbellRegan O’ConnorEthan WorsleyRuan DanielsEdmar SaribayJack WilsonAlex GordonEric SojanNikhil Baine Hunter KennedyOliver SongSimon TonBlair Verry Tristan ChambersIsaac Fox Hamish LunnCaidyn CaffellRhys HobdeyZak BarzakHunter Eastwood Aperahama KahukotiJarreau Mohi-HenareYear 13Matthew JohnstonPrefects CupContribution to the Community - Nicolas VerryAthletics Higgie Townsend High Performance Cup - James SavageBadmintonOwen Cup - School Champion - Jason GuiOng Cup - Most improved player - Ashton O’ConnorBasketballRidge Cup, for Year 9 most valuable player - Cooper TauraRidge Cup, Year 9 Most Improved Player - Elye Taunoa KnightStrawbridge Cup, for Year 10 most valuable player - Kaden Te HunaStrawbridge Cup, for Year 10 most improved player - James MarshallBardsley Family Cup, for Junior A best defensive player - Cooper DaveyStephenson Trophy, Development Team - most valued player- Cole BealeDennis Kay Cup, Development Team - most improved player - Baxter WalkerTrophy Specialist trophy, best and fairest player - Lucas MildenhallPremier A AwardsPremier A most improved player - Cooper AishPremier A most valued player - Hudson AishMcTamney Cup, Senior A best defensive player - Lucas MildenhallFrost Family Cup, Senior A greatest contribution to basketball - Lucas MildenhallCaps 2024Max CongdonAlex GordonTommy ReadHudson Aish Ryan PearceLucas Mildenhall (C)BowlsDenis Duffy Cup, champion bowler - Ryan GoodallCanoe PoloMax Grant Cup, for the best Canoe Polo player - Sam HawinkelsChessSims Cup, for contrubtion to chess club - Scott SunSchool Champion - Zikang DaiCricketBowling Award - 6 for 62, PNBHS 1st XI v Feilding CC - Alex PringleBowling Award - 6 for 40, PNBHS 3rd X1 v Dannevirke CC - Riley MurphyBowling Award - 6 for 29, PNBHS 1st XI v Freyberg CC - Charlie FergusonBowling Award - 6 for 38, PNBHS 1st XI v Napier Boys’ High - Kieran GillPage Trophy, for best Year 9 cricketer - Connor PhillipsJensen & Wenham Families Cup,for best Year 10 Cricketer - Lachie WhitleyLester Williams Cup, Most wickets Butler Cup cricket - Matthew CampbellYoung Cup, Butler Cup cricket Batting Award - Ryan HarrisonLeighton Trophy, Butler Cup Batting Award - Sam Rowe1st XI AwardsMcSweeney Cup, feilding award - Kieran GillGreg Malcolm Memorial Trophy, most improved player - Hadley JamesAlec Astle Cup, determination and commitment - Kieran GillBest All-Rounder Cup - Jordin LastHarrisHewer Trophy, best bowling peformance - Charlie FergusonBowling Cup - Alex PringleRetemeyer Brothers Trophy, most meritorious innings - Hugo AbdatBatting Cup - Kieran GillNobby Anderson Memorial Trophy, greatest contribution to cricket - Jordin Last-HarrisCapsMax Hart - 2023/24Oli Smith - 2024Matthew Campbell - 2023/24Alex Pringle - 2024Max Culleton- 2024Alex Gordon - 2024Charlie Ferguson - 2024Jordin Last-Harris - 2023/24 (C)Nic Donnelly - 2024Hugo Abdat - 2024Kieran Gill - 2023/24Cross CountryMacGregor Family Cup - Junior Champion - Lachie DuffySyms Family Cup - Intermediate champion - Jarvis ShawOpen Champion - Jacob LeanCyclingPedal Pushers Trophy, most improved cyclisit - Liam O’DeaM.E.H.R.D.D. Trophy, greatest contribution to cycling - Filip MartinPNBHS Cup, for cycle and academic excellence - Jacob LeanStewart Cup, commitment to the cycle team - Jonathan PeelRoad RaceJowett Cup - Minor Intermediate

384 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025Road RaceJowett Cup - Minor Intermediate Champion - Jarvis ShawPrefects Cup - Junior Champion - Jai ParrisKelman Loveday Cup - Major Intermediate Champion - William KenyonWhalley Cup - Senior champion - Jacob LeanNash Trophy - for most improved Harrier - Jai ParrisDebatingRyan Orange Cup, best Year 9 debater - Connor BrodieJoost Van Amelsfort Cup, best Year 10 debater - Tristan TaylorDenis Duffy Cup, best Year 11 debater - Tyler ThompsonGordon N. Cruden Cup, best Year 12 debater - Oliver SongDramaMcNeill Cup, for contributiuon to Junior drama - Joshua SmithLynch Cup, for contributiuon to Senior drama - Tristan LittleMonaghan Award - excellence in Theatre Technology - Ishmam Biswas, Sakthi Prabhu, Ruan Daniels, Tristan LittleBarbara Shorter Award - excellence in Senior Production - Atta Rahim, Jack Wilson, Matthew WongchotiChris Burton Award - excellence in Drama - Jesse Wallace, Jake Maskill, Saem MillwardClark Award - Most Promising Understudy - Benjamin Viljoen, Shloke DuttaFootballWood Trophy, most improved Under 15 player - Enosh ChhetriUnder 15 Award, player of the year - Reuben RoseTrophy Specialists Award, best and fairest football player - Freddie DunnBoyack Cup, U17 player of the year - Fraser JamesBrowne Cup, service to PNBHS football- Mickey Bebb1st XI AwardsMorrison Cup, for best newcomer - Grayson CattleRidge Cup, for most improved player- Olen JuruDonoghue Cup, for best forward - Aiden FosterYule Cup, for top goal scorer - Xavier Jake Whitley, Aiden FosterPrice Trophy, for best defender - Frank TombsRAS Trophy, for best midfeild player- Cillian CarrollPitt Trophy, player of the year - Frank TombsSteve Burnley Trophy, greatest contribution to 1st XI Football - Mahiro HadaCapsJake Whitley - 2023/24Diego Coleman - 2023/24Olen Juru - 2023/24Freddie Dunn - 2023/24Aiden Foster - 2022/23/24Frank Tombs - 2023/24 (C)Mahiro Hada - 2023/24Zach Doyle - 2023/24Jed Pettit-Court - 2024GolfBidlake Trophy, best Stableford - Nireaha CarberryMinolta Trophy, best Nett - Nireaha CarberryTodd Dury Trophy, PNBHS best Gross, School Champion - Oli SmithHockeyTrophy Specialist Award, for best and fairest hockey player - Josh LevyThe NZ Stick, for most promising Year 9 player - Franco LourensAndrew Prime Trophy, for best contribution to Junior hockey - Cooper BramwellAlex Heatley Cup, for most improved junior player - Cody ClarkeWilson Trophy, for dedication and outstanding work ethic to Junior Hockey - Carter FuldsethPNBHS 2nd XI, most valuable player - Ben MurdochHockey 1st XIDoug Somerville Trophy, for most improved new player - Jakob WongWard Cup, for most improved player - Rome KearneyKing Cup, for best back - Zachary LeeDentice Cup, for best forward - Will RobertsChampions Trophy, for most valued player - Oli SmithChu Brothers Cup, for sportsmanship, loyalty and effort - Ollie DavidsonPhillips Family Cup, greatest contribution to 1st XI Hockey - Ollie DavidsonLouden family hockey scholarship - Carter FuldsethPlayers’ Player trophy - Troy WongCapsOllie Davidson - 2023/24Riley Peauafi - 2023/24Matthew Campbell - 2023/24Lochie Underwood - 2024Zachary Lee - 2023/24Riley Theobald - 2022/23/24Carter Fuldseth - 2023/24Will Roberts - 2022/23/24 (C)Troy Wong - 2024William Campbell - 2024Rome Kearney - 2023/24Library Head Librarian - Daniel MaasKapa HakaMost improved Junior - Xathanyel RapanaMost improved Senior - Simi SeumanuMountain BikingMatthew Richard Adams Cup, for most promising rider - Jonty WilliamsonMusic & Cultural AwardsRead Wheeler Cup, Outstanding Junior Musician - Cole BuchananAyers Trophy, Most improved piper (Pipe band) - Jack CowlePasifika GroupExcellence Award, for pasifika cultural peformance - Judah LeleaPublic Speaking Hobbin Cup, year 11 - Tyler Thompson Rector’s Cup, year 12 - Leo MwapePNBHS Cup Year 9 - Connor BrodiePark Cup Year 10 - Jaden DurstonRugbyJudd Memorial Trophy, for most skilful Year 9 player - Michael AitkenCadeTrophy Specialists Award, for best and fairest rugby player - Josh StevensMacLean Family Cup, for greatest contribution the 2nd XV rugby - Sam McKerrasBlackburn Trophy - most skilful Sevens player - Amini SeruwaluKendall Toki Trophy - Sevens player of the year - Hunter KennedyRugby 1st XV Stratton Brothers Cup, most improved player - Tristan ChambersPNHSOB RFC 75th Jubilee Cup, mostpromising player - Jamie ViljoenTalamaivao Memorial Trophy, best Tackler - Viliami Rongokea TupouTrainers Cup - Alex PalazzoTeam Player Award - Alex PalazzoNZSC Cup - Commitment and Integrity to the team - Jack Aitken-CadeFerris Cup, greatest contribution to Rugby - Ryder CrosswellBest Back Award - Hunter KennedyBest Forward Award - Bradley TockerPlayer of the Year - Jamie ViljoenCapsViliami Rongokea Tupou - 2024Henry Speedy - 2024Alex Palazzo - 2023/24 (C)Tyler-Jay Wallace - 2024Jamie Viljoen - 2023/24Hunter Kennedy - 2024Tristan Chambers - 2024Manase Toumohuni - 2024Tevita Fakahau - 2022/23/24Cazna Sale - 2024Clark Sutcliffe - 2024Jack Aitken-Cade - 2024Ryder Crosswell - 2023/24Jack Trotter - 2024Cooper Furnell - 2024 Kruiz Ioane - 2024Joseph Ratcliffe - 2024Richie Schaaf - 2024Sione Taeiloa - 2024Bradley Tocker - 2023/24Bailey Ngatai-Cribb - 2024ShootingTennant Trophy, clay target shooting, best aggregate SS shooting - Hayden LourieLeslie Family Trophy, clay target shooting, Skeet aggregate - Hayden LourieLynch Family Trophy, clay target shooting, most improved - Harry BourkeHiggie Trophy, top Junior Shooter - Joshua LendrumJohn Carlin Memorial Trophy,Smallbore shooting - Ethan AldersleyFellahLissington Brothers Marksman Trophy, Smallbore shooting - Ruadhan BucklandSquashSquash Gym Cup, Junior Champion - Alex BennettRandolph Cup, Most improved Junior player - Jimi HigsonGY Cup, Most improved Senior player - George HaymanParents Cup - Most Valued Club member - Brodie BennettClub Captain’s Board - George HaymanTaylor Cup, Club Champion - Brodie Bennett

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 385SwimmingLangley Cup - 13 yrs & under - Charles JessenMinor Intermediate Cup - 14 yrs - Will ParsonsClere Cup - 15 yrs - Sam RoweBarry Street Cup - 16 yrs & over Backstroke - Joshua CarrollOld Boys Cup - 16 yrs & over Freestyle - Joshua CarrollRoss Cup - Open Medley - Alex WillisNevin Cup - Open Butterfly - Alex WillisTable TennisPNBHS Trophy, Open Singles Champion - Akshay AneeshTennisGregory Reid Memorial Trophy, Most improved Junior player - Archie GiesenHooper Cup, Junior Tennis Champion - Jonty SkermanHughes Cup, Outstanding performance in Junior inter-school fixtures - Jonty SkermanGee Cup, Intermediate Tennis Champion - Mickey SaksiriwutthoCollier Cup, Most improved Senior player - Fynn BusuttinEmmett Gracie Cup, Outstanding contribution to Tennis - Matty LearyEkstedt Cup, Open Championship winner - Matty LearyTouchBennett Cup, Greatest contribution to Junior Touch - Brooklyn JacksonHighbury Whanaū Centre Touch Cup, Senior Player of the Year - Bailey Ngatai-CribbVolley BallJunior PNBHS Cup, Most Valued Junior player - Hameed Muhammad JumaSenior PNBHS Cup, Most Valued Senior player - Gian De NegriWaterpoloOriginals Cup, Contribution to Waterpolo - Jack Aitken-CadeBruce Turner Memorial Cup - Excellence in Hockey and Cricket - Oli SmithMarist Sports Club Award - Hockey - Carter FuldsethCalton Family Cup - Official of the year - Josh IrwinPNBHS Sportsmanship Team Award- Football junior green Captain - Callum Godfrey

388 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025OLD BOYS 2025The Old Boys’ Executive Committee meets at regular intervals. It is comprised as follows:Patron – Alan CullOld Boys’ Chairman and President – Simon O’ConnorCommittee members:John Whitehead – TreasurerJohn Naylor – retired at the AGM in AugustStuart LeightonRolf LeenardsMuz SujauPhilip RopihaLance RetemeyerTom HughesAshleigh Hazlett – elected to the committee at the AGM in AugustTony Croucher – elected to the committee at the AGM in AugustDavid Bovey – RectorGerard Atkin – Deputy RectorRachel Wenham – Old Boys OfficeThe Committee plays a large part in supporting all the activities and initiatives that the Old Boys’ Association undertakes. Old Boys’ activities have been regular, varied, and well attended over this year. Positive feedback has been received from our Old Boys’ community on all the events that have taken place. Many thanks to this group, who give their time to keep alive a growing and vibrant Old Boys’ Association.2025 has seen the Old Boys’ Association very active. We have enjoyed welcoming Old Boys back to Palmerston North Boys’ High School as well as being out in our Old Boys’ communities throughout the year.SPORTS HUB PROJECTA major focus for the Old Boys this year has continued to be the launch of the Sports Hub project, which we are now bringing to fruition. The project’s estimated cost is $7.5 million and will require considerable support from our entire school and Old Boys’ communities.This capital project will add significant value to the facilities that the Palmerston North Boys’ High School students have access to and will further enhance the growth, development, and experiences that every boy receives at PNBHS.We have building consent for the project. Humphries Construction has been engaged to project manage and build the Pavilion, and we now need to focus on raising the capital to make it a reality. The Sports Hub has been the driving focus for the Old Boys’ Association, and all profits from each event we have held have been directed into the Sports Hub fund.We have experienced some frustration in gaining approval from the Ministry of Education to commence building; however, we are now working on a solution. Thank you to Rolf Leenards for your time and effort in this regard. We are hopeful that this can be resolved with a simple fix—moving the Pavilion back 10 metres off Ministry land—after which we look forward to turning the soil and commencing the Pavilion build.At this point, we now need the financial support of our Old Boys. You know this will be a wonderful facility and a lasting legacy for our school. We need the Old Boys’ team to step up and make a financial contribution to help us build the PNBHS Sports Hub.2025 HAS BEEN A GREAT YEARFebruary• Rector David Bovey and Rachel Wenham visited Auckland on a Sports Hub Awareness Campaign. We had very successful evenings with groups of Old Boys hosted by Bill Kermode and then Mark Cross, along with a lunchtime gathering hosted by Peter Jollands. It was

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 389excellent to be out and about spreading the word about our incredible Sports Hub project.March• A special morning tea was held in the Rector’s office to help Allan Cull celebrate his 101st birthday.• David Bovey and Rachel Wenham travelled to Christchurch and again met with a group of Old Boys to talk about the Sports Hub project. This was kindly hosted by Jerry Rowberry.• March also saw us induct four inspiring businessmen into our Business Alumni Hall of Fame — Brian Plimmer, Brian Green, Luke Irving, and Laurie Margrain. Their business accomplishments make outstanding reading.We are very proud to have so many outstanding Old Boys across a wide range of business fields, and we value the strong connections they maintain with Palmy Boys. Brian GreenBrian came to Boys’ High from Ōtaki College in 1964 and was placed in Albion Club, where he played for the football team alongside future All White Adrian Elrick. Also in Albion with Brian was Colin Crombie, who was inducted at our previous Business Alumni event along with Nelson Speirs.Brian was a private in the Cadet Battalion, played for the 4th Grade A football team, and achieved Higher School Certificate and University Entrance in Bookkeeping, English, Geography, History, and Mathematics. His report described him as quiet, pleasant, and polite, with very good conduct at school.After leaving Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Brian worked at accountancy firm Morrah Telford and Pilcher, then the largest private firm in Palmerston North. He spent three years there before joining R & E Tingey, a company established by twin brothers Richard and Ernest Tingey in Whanganui in 1869, where he qualified as an accountant. He then joined Porter Motors Ltd as an accountant – a job he enjoyed due to his lifelong interest in cars.In 1971 Brian bought a motor business, which he ran until 1984, when he became a full-time property investor and developer. He built commercial properties in New Plymouth, leased to the Inland Revenue Department and the Department of Social Welfare. Other developments included a transport centre in Auckland, motels in Palmerston North and Wellington, Turners Car Auctions in Dunedin, and Briscoes and Rebel Sport in Whanganui, as well as numerous developments in Palmerston North. Most of these are still owned by the Brian Green Property Group today, which also holds a large share-market portfolio.Brian has been involved in motorsport since 1976, competing in rallying, motor racing, and, briefly, speedway. He won the Malaysian Rally Championship in 2005 and 2012, and the King’s Cup Trophy for winning the International Rally of Thailand in 2011. That same year, he also won the New Caledonia Rally Championship and finished on the podium in every completed round of the FIA Asia–Pacific Rally Championship.Brian drove for Wanyu, the largest rally team in China, for many years and competed in Australia, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. He is considered a legend of the New Zealand rally scene and was named among the NZ Rally Championship’s top 25 drivers of all time. Brian has been a long-term sponsor of rallying in New Zealand, sponsoring the NZ Rally Championship since 2010 and the iconic local Daybreaker Rally event.Brian continues to compete in long-distance racing, supports Manawatū golf, and remains actively involved in his property business.Luke IrvingLuke attended Boys’ High from 1993–97 and was a member of Albion Club. From the 4th Form on, his form teachers included long-serving staff: Mike Lowe, John Ridge, R. J. ‘Digger’ Doyle, and Willie Docherty.Luke was heavily involved in co-curricular activities. In cricket, he played for the 3rd Form Specials team, coached by Stu Leighton, and later captained the 4th Form Specials under Paul Gibbs. He then played for the 4th XI for three years, occasionally appearing for higher teams, and in his 7th Form year captained the 4th XI. The Palmerstonian records that “the strength of the team was the bowling attack, spearheaded by Luke Irving and David Brown.”Luke was also a talented hockey player, captaining the

390 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 20253rd Form Specials in 1993 and joining the 2nd XI the following year. In 1995 he made the 1st XI, coached by Brent Turner, which finished fifth at Rankin Cup. In 1996 he scored 15 goals for the 1st XI, which finished 3rd nationally, and he also coached the 10th XI. His final Palmerstonian note read that he “had an extremely good tournament and must have gone close to making the tournament team.”Academically, Luke passed School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, and Higher School Certificate. His business instincts showed early: as CEO of the Young Enterprise Scheme in 1994, he integrated McDonald’s into the school lunch programme.Teachers recognised his potential. Neil Porteous wrote, “Luke has a unique personality which will enable him to succeed in the future,” and Robin Doyle advised him to “use your time wisely, Luke” — advice he clearly took to heart.After a gap year in the United Kingdom, where he played hockey and cricket, Luke returned to New Zealand to begin life as an entrepreneur. After some early setbacks, he identified the potential of touchscreen technology and founded Fingermark in 2006 using his credit card. Twenty years on, Fingermark is one of the world’s largest technology vendors in the fast-food industry, employing over 110 staff worldwide.The company began with self-ordering kiosks and now leads globally in computer-vision analytics, partnering with Nvidia, Google, and Amazon to deliver real-time insights for McDonald’s, YUM Brands, Chick-fil-A, Burger King, and others. Fingermark’s platform Eyecue is recognised as the leading computer-vision platform globally.In 2016 Luke relocated the entire company to Hawke’s Bay — the first known regional migration of a tech firm — to create high-value jobs in the provinces. In 2026 Fingermark celebrates 20 years, and Luke will join a small group of New Zealand tech founders still leading their companies.Luke lives in Hawke’s Bay with his partner Emma and their children — Edie, Ted, and Frida — and travels frequently between the United States and New Zealand. He continues to play and coach cricket and enjoys exploring the world.Laurie MargrainLaurie attended Boys’ High from 1965–68 and was in Phoenix. His 4th Form teacher was Rhys Davies — father of current staff member Grant McQueen-Davies — and his classmates included Stu Leighton. In 1968 he was in 6B, with Merv Nixon as form teacher, alongside Craig Hart.Laurie topped his class in both 3C (1965) and 4C (1966) and achieved School Certificate, Endorsed School Certificate, and University Entrance. A keen sportsman, he played cricket for the 4B team in 1965, the 2nd XI in 1967, and football for the 3rd XI A (1965), 4th XI (1966), and 1st XI (1967–68). The 1967 team was one of the most successful in the school’s history, winning all interschool matches and losing only one game in the Senior Division Championship. Laurie also represented Manawatū U16 in 1967 and 1968.One of his report comments read: “A good year’s work. Good, willing boy. Exceptionally keen on sport.”After leaving school, Laurie joined the ANZ Bank, becoming its youngest relieving bank accountant. He later worked in the International Division in Wellington before resigning to travel to the United Kingdom, where he met his future wife, Gwyneth.Returning to New Zealand in 1976, Laurie joined the Masport Group as a credit manager and rose through the company to become Managing Director of Masport Australia in 1987, CEO of Masport Group in 1989, and Chairman in 1991. In 1992 he became CEO, Manufacturing Operations, for Skellerup Group, overseeing 14 manufacturing and distribution businesses nationwide.Laurie has since held numerous governance roles, including President of the Employers and Manufacturers Association, President of Business NZ, and Chair of Open Country Dairy Ltd for nearly 20 years — an achievement he regards as one of his proudest. He currently serves on seven main boards.An active community leader, Laurie has served as Chair of North Harbour Rugby, a board member of the Blues Super Rugby franchise, and President of North Shore RFC, where he is a life member.Words from Laurie:“In thinking on this honour after I recorded a few words, it did occur to me to pass on an observation that has grown with me in the later years of my business career. It is simply not feasible to expect young men and women to understand how their experiences before mature adulthood can shape them. The values, ethics, and appreciation of tradition that shape us as we age are acquired gradually. In more recent years, as I have occasionally looked back, I have truly appreciated what my time at this school gave me. Some things were a little more painful than others, but ethics, values, and traditions shaped me, and for that I will forever be in Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s debt.”

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 391Brian PlimmerBrian attended Boys’ High from 1948–52 and was the third of our inductees from Albion Club. His first month at school was spent on correspondence due to the polio epidemic.A fine all-round pupil, Brian completed School Certificate (1950), Endorsed School Certificate and University Entrance (1951), and Higher School Certificate (1952).He excelled in athletics, winning the Margaret Palmer Cup for distance running, the Empire Cup for the Senior 880, and the Fleming Cup for the Senior 440 yards in 1951. He continued to achieve success through 1952 and represented the school at the Jubilee Sports event that year.Brian also played rugby, representing the 4th XV (1950), 2nd XV (1951), and 1st XV (1952), which won the Polson Banner beating Napier 19–0. He was a school prefect in 1952 and Albion Club secretary.After school, Brian joined the New Zealand Insurance Company Ltd before working in his father’s secretarial and accounting firm, which he later expanded nationally. His ventures included forming the Rural Couriers Society Ltd and serving as President of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce.He played a pivotal role in founding radio station 2XS and served as Chair of the Manawatū Radio Company Ltd. He was also a director of Countrywide Bank and Vector Ltd.Brian is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors, a life member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and a past President of the Canada New Zealand Business Council.He and his wife Merlene have worked together in business and property development for many years and have travelled widely in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.April• Sunday, 13 April, saw another outstanding Old Boys’ Golf Day at the Manawatū Golf Club. Our sincere thanks to Homely Property Management for being the major sponsor for the day. We were very well looked after by those who sponsored various elements: lunch was provided by McDonald’s PN and Morgan Laurenson, and the two mid-course BBQs were supported by Mad Butcher.• Vining Group deserve a huge thank you for the golf balls (embossed with the PNBHS logo), packets of tees, and pitch-repair forks that all players received. Vining Group also contributed a Golf Simulator experience as an auction prize, allowing the winners to play famous courses of the world, as well as a golf bag for the raffle. Hunting & Fishing donated a quality camping chair, and Rangitikei Meat donated four half legs of ham for the raffle. Thank you all.• Thank you also to AFC Motorcycles, who lent us the two drinks buggies for the day.• In addition to the Golf Simulator package, Mike Borren offered a jet-boat ride for six people up the Manawatū River through the Gorge for auction, and Cam Barr Engineering kindly gifted a round of golf at Wairakei for auction. These items were the icing on the cake for a great Golf Day, with all profits going to the new Sports Hub.• Thank you also to all the hole sponsors for your support; it is a significant contribution to making Golf Day a success. Players were especially grateful to Beds R Us on Hole 9 for the banana rums, Barr Engineering on Hole 10 for the Baileys, and Homely Property Management for the on-course game, the ‘wicked shot’, and the rum and gin on Hole 1. These contributions all added great value to Golf Day.• We are fortunate to have such amazing support from our Old Boys’ community. The support we received for our Golf Day allowed us to contribute $10,000 to the Sports Hub fund.• It was fantastic to host the PNBHS 1974/75 First XV 2025 PNBHS Old Boys’ Golf DayThank you to the following sponsors, without yoursupport Golf Day would not be possible.

392 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025• It was fantastic to host the PNBHS 1974/75 First XV reunion for the First XV’s game against Whanganui Collegiate. We always love having our Old Boys back on school grounds. Bruce ‘Bruiser’ Hemara, 1975 Captain and one of the current First XV coaches, was proud of his 2025 team as well as his 1975 team this weekend. Thank you to John Whitehead for organising the reunion.June• The College House Year 9, 1963 Reunion: on Sunday night this group enjoyed dinner at College House and then on Monday watched the Year 9 New Plymouth Boys’ High School Niger House vs College House rugby game.• The highlight of this year was the Sports Café night with Dane Coles, Christian Cullen, and Paul Steinmetz, emceed and hosted by Hamish McKay. The boys on stage were fantastic, sharing multiple stories from their rugby days and entertaining the sold-out crowd. Hamish McKay delivered another stellar performance as MC for the night; it was an excellent evening and everyone appeared to be having a great time.• Thank you to Property Brokers for sponsoring our function; your support is greatly appreciated. Paul Roache and the team did an outstanding job leading the auctions with great results.• We had a superb raffle, with the main prize a limited-edition Stade Français (France) rugby jersey signed by several notable players and associated with the club’s 140-year reunion. Other prizes included multiple legs of lamb kindly donated by ANZCO, a large slab of fudge from Brigid’s Fudge Kitchen, and beautiful chocolates and lollies donated by DKSH and Carousel.• The auction items were outstanding and helped raise significant funds for the Sports Hub: an All Blacks jersey signed by Gary Knight, Joe Schmidt, and Christian Cullen; a 2015 white All Blacks jersey signed by the team; a PNBHS white First XV jersey signed by a multitude of All Blacks, to which we added Dane Coles, Paul Steinmetz, Aaron Cruden, and Bruce Hemara on the night; a 1924 All Black Invincibles programme; an original framed photograph of tulips blooming in New York from Visaly Studio; clay-target shooting for eight, including a barbecue lunch at The Clay Busters’ Hut in Dannevirke; an outstanding fishing trip on a 57-foot launch out of Tauranga for four people from Alberto Enterprises; and golf for four with carts at Wairakei Golf Course — thank you, Cam Barr Engineering. The support and sponsorship of this evening were incredible.• Hamish McKay concluded the auction with two items from his own collection: a Poverty Bay cap signed by Ian Kirkpatrick with the promise of lunch with ‘Kirky’ at the Āpiti Tavern, and a Formula One pit-lane shirt signed by Lando Norris.• That same weekend we hosted the 2005 First XV reunion. You were an amazing group to have at school, and we thoroughly enjoyed having you. The group enjoyed the Friday night Sports Café event, the win against Hamilton Boys’ High School, and the dinner on Saturday night at College House.• Tauranga Old Boys’ Gathering: 24 Old Boys attended dinner at the Mount Ocean Sports Club on the water at the end of Pilot Bay — a stunning spot where we were looked after exceptionally well. It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces and add a few more, made even better by the win earlier in the day against Tauranga Boys’ College.• It was wonderful to welcome a number of Old Boys who travelled from Auckland — always a pleasure to see Peter and Cath Jollands — and great that Gary Kilgour extended his golf trip a day. Maurice Heappey made the journey from Tūrangi, and Rod Grieve will now be a familiar face at Tauranga events, having just completed his move from Palmerston North; you can find him at the Tauranga Bayleys office.

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 393July• At the Sydney Old Boys’ gathering, about 15 Old Boys joined us at The Australian Hotel on Wednesday, 11 July. Midweek in Sydney and clashing with the final State of Origin match, we were delighted to see both familiar and new faces.• For the first time, Rector David Bovey and Rachel Wenham visited Adelaide and hosted a catch-up at The Arkaba Hotel. We gathered a great group of Old Boys, including a few from out of town who were there for the Lions game on Saturday night. It was a wonderful evening, and we really enjoyed connecting with our Adelaide Old Boys and hearing about what they are doing.• Special thanks to Ken Malcolm, who came up from Melbourne and showed us around his family’s patch in the Barossa Valley — we had a superb day.• On Tuesday, 16 July, we held the Auckland Old Boys’ Dinner — the first in many years. Andrew Law, neurosurgeon, was our guest speaker and delivered an entertaining, informative, and awe-inspiring address that held the room spellbound. Sixty-five attended the sit-down dinner at the Old Boys’ Pavilion at Auckland Grammar School. It was a memorable night, and we could have listened to Andrew for much longer.Andrew Law – NeurosurgeonPNBHS 1979–83 | Kia Ora ClubAndrew was in the “A” Stream from 3A1 to 7SG. He achieved six School Certificate passes with a high of 90 in Mathematics, six subjects accredited for University Entrance, six Sixth Form Certificate passes, and an “A” Bursary in 1983.He played rugby for five years up to the 2nd XV, described as having “a no-nonsense approach as hooker with an excellent attitude – a very good striker.” He scored tries in the 1983 interschool matches against Whanganui Collegiate and Hutt Valley High School. His 1981 2nd Grade Red team, coached by Errol Brookie, was undefeated. Brookie wrote: “A successful season by a team which was not stacked. In Animal Farm all were equal, but some more equal than others!”Andrew played cricket for five years, starting in the Third Form Specials coached by Alec Astle and progressing to the 2nd XI under Ian Colquhoun. He also featured in the 1982 school production Zigger-Zagger with Girls’ High, playing Stanley the Recruiting Sergeant.In 1983 Andrew was a School Prefect, Club Captain of Kia Ora Club (winners of the Shooting and Soccer competitions), a member of the School Ball organising committee, and Class Captain of 6VI in 1980. He also participated in athletics, basketball, boxing, cross-country, golf, squash, and tennis, and served as a First Aid Officer with St John Ambulance Brigade.Of note, from a possible 120 “A” grades for homework, work attitude, and manner, he achieved 116 — a record few could match.Andrew completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Otago and is now a neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon, serving as Director of Neurosurgery at Auckland City and Starship Children’s Hospitals.He made international headlines when he performed a life-saving operation on Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who had sustained a head injury after falling from a palm tree in Fiji, and later joined the band’s entourage for two years — stories he shared with much humour.What an extraordinary Old Boy.• We were also treated to the talents of Mark Stafford as MC — an entertaining highlight in itself. Shane Cortese

394 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025ran a lively auction that raised additional funds for the Sports Hub campaign. Holding the dinner in Auckland Grammar’s Old Boys’ Pavilion reminded us of the legacy we aim to create with our own PNBHS Old Boys’ Pavilion.• Many thanks to all who contributed to this successful night. Andrew Law was an outstanding speaker, and we are fortunate to have such accomplished Old Boys.Dinner Sponsors:Laydodd Partners – Craig Le QuesneDirect Capital – Ross GeorgeQuix Electrical – John KendrickNext Advisory – Luke KemeysPink Beluga – Mark FinlayPeter JollandsStonefields New World, Lunn Ave – Tim WilsonMC: Mark StaffordAuctioneer: Shane CorteseGuest Speaker Introduction and Thanks: Rodney Grieve, Justin DoolanSpecial thanks to Auckland Grammar School for the use of their Pavilion and for helping us get organised.Auction Items:• Duco Events (Craig Cotton) – tickets to Synthony• Mark Stafford – painting of Ross Taylor• Simon O’Connor – Old Boys’ PresidentThe success of this dinner enabled us to donate $7,000 to the Sports Hub Fund.• The 2000 First XV Reunion and the 1965 First XV Reunion were both held on the weekend of 19 July. Thank you to Paul Linklater and Rodney Inteman for coordinating these events. It is always wonderful to welcome returning teams. The 1965 First XV celebrated their 60-year reunion, and the 2000 First XV marked their 25-year anniversary.August• The Annual General Meeting took place on 27 August. The long-term contribution of John Naylor to the Association and to PNBHS was acknowledged as he stood down from the Old Boys’ Executive. John has been one of the backbones of the committee for many years, and his passion and commitment to PNBHS have been immense. We will truly miss his support and the depth of knowledge he holds. We are sure he will remain a familiar face at Old Boys’ events.• A decision was made that, following the huge success of the Dane Coles Sports Café Dinner, there would be no Palmerston North Old Boys’ Dinner in 2025 — it would be difficult to top that exceptional evening.September / OctoberOld Boys’ Sports Day – Friday, 17 OctoberOur final gathering for 2025 was the annual Old Boys’ Sports Day, followed by an end-of-year Burger Night for all our Palmerston North Old Boys.Sports Day is always a highlight on the calendar and highly competitive. This year, the Old Boys took on the School in touch rugby, basketball, golf, cricket, hockey, football, debating, and squash. Once again, the Old Boys continued their dominance and retained the Old Boys’ Cup, which is contested each year.Thank you to McDonald’s, Morgan Laurenson, Hunting & Fishing, and College House for providing the burgers and chips for dinner.

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 395My thanks go to the team in the Old Boys’ Office who make our events happen, and to the Rector and Deputy Rector for their ongoing support — your presence is valued and appreciated.Working in the Old Boys’ Office are:Stuart Leighton – the encyclopaedia of Old Boys’ knowledge and our most valuable link to the extended Old Boys’ community.Rachel Wenham – responsible for maintaining communication with Old Boys and coordinating events.Sally Wenham – provides photography and produces Old Boys’ publications and materials.Victoria Bovey – continues to update Old Boys’ information in the database, assists with event organisation, and has become an expert on the photography team.In addition, Dom King’s work in Archives is vital to preserving the history of our school and the memories and memorabilia of our Old Boys.Special thanks also go to John Whitehead, who oversees our finances — his expertise in this area is invaluable.We have continued to focus on the development of the new Old Boys’ Pavilion and hockey turf. Progress has been very positive, and we now look to our Old Boys’ community for financial support to bring it to fruition. We are extremely grateful to those who have already donated to the project — your generosity is appreciated.Once again, thank you to the Rector and Deputy Rector for your leadership of our school and your support of everything undertaken by the Old Boys’ Association. Your presence within the Old Boys’ community is deeply valued.We also acknowledge the many Old Boys across our wider community who contribute to the School — financially, through time, or by offering advice. Your efforts allow our boys to participate in all areas of school life. Special thanks go to:The Education Foundation TrustIndividual donorsThe Good Buggers ClubWhite Jersey Club membersThe Football Supporters ClubMany Old Boys and their businesses also support the School as team sponsors — this contribution provides vital opportunities for our students.Looking ahead, 2027 marks the 125th anniversary of Palmerston North Boys’ High School. A celebration is planned for 19–21 March 2027, and we warmly invite all Old Boys to return to school for this milestone event.Please keep an eye out for upcoming Old Boys’ events and join us in supporting them.Thank you all for your continued support.Simon O’Connor President, PNBHS Old Boys’ Association

396 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025HELPING OUT PNBHS STUDENTS Some Students in all areas of their life at PNBHS require a helping hand from time to time. We have three funds currently operating to help out when needed. The Good Buggers’ Club, The White Jersey Club and The Football Supporters Club. If you would be willing to make a donation to any of these funds please see the details below.The Good Buggers’ Club:This fund has been set up for Old Boys and Friends of the School (non-Old Boys but contributors to the school none the less) to assist the Rector and the staff in helping the young men at the school overcome some of the challenges they face in today’s secondary school environment.We would encourage you to consider joining your fellow Old Boys and “Friends of the School” by making a small regular donation to this fund to ensure the students at PNBHS are able to participate fully in all aspects of their school lives, and to maintain high standards and values that we all have come to love and admire about the school.PNBHS offers a vast range of opportunities for boys who attend.Unfortunately, some of today’s students are unable to take up these opportunities or participate in academic, sporting or cultural activities due to economic circumstances, lack of family support etc.The Good Buggers’ Fund will assist students who have the desire to take up these opportunities but don’t have financial means to do so. The fund will also support students who are unable to fund curriculum essentials such as calculators or other subject resources that can assist with their education.We are asking for Old Boys and Friends of the School to consider giving a small ongoing donation to the fund. Many Old Boys have set up automatic payments from $20- $50 per month; however, those who would like to contribute more are encouraged to consider doing so, while those who would like to donate less are encouraged to donate whatever they feel comfortable with. Every donation is welcomed and appreciated.Being a charitable trust, donations are tax-deductible. At the end of the financial year, the Trust will send you a tax deduction rebate receipt which will enable you to claim one-third of your donation back. For example, if you set up an automatic donation of $50 per month (ie $600 per year), you would be able to claim $200 back in tax. In essence, your annual donation would be $400. When you break this down, this is equivalent to approximately three tanks of petrol per year, or just over $7 per week.You can become part of the Good Buggers’ Club by setting up a monthly donation via automatic payment. The account details are:Account Name: The PNBHS Educational Foundation TrustAccount Number: 02-0727-0159856-097When setting up your monthly donation, please put the first letter of your first name, along with your full surname as the reference (eg J.Smith).Code: GBCPlease email Rachel Wenham ([email protected]) if you require further information and to confirm your involvement with the GBC.The White Jersey Club:The White Jersey Club (WJC) is an entity set up specifically for those Old Boys who have been a member of the 1st XV during their time at school, or who are friends or parents of the school and may have had a son who played for the 1st XV.Members of the WJC pay an annual subscription of $100, with proceeds going to assist with the costs of running the school’s 1st XV and assist those boys who struggle to play rugby at the school due to financial constraints.If you would like to receive your own white cotton replica 1st XV Jersey with the school’s rugby crest, please add an extra $100.00 to your initial payment.OR if you would like a White Jersey Club tie, please add an extra $40.00 to your initial payment.Members will receive a pre-season schedule of all 1st XV games, results of inter-school games, school calendar and invitations to WJC members functions.Your support will give today’s young men opportunities that many of us took for granted when we were at school.How to become a member of the White Jersey Club:

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 397Please make an annual $100 contribution to the School via electronic banking:Account Name: White Jersey ClubAccount number: 01-0745-0025368-02Code: WJCReference: SurnameOnce payment has been made, please email Rachel Wenham at [email protected] with the following details so that we can keep in touch with you.NamePostal addressEmail addressYear/s in the 1st XVPositionRugby jersey size you would like (XS-5XL)Thank you for supporting the school and the legacy of the 1st XV.The Football Supporters Club:This fund has been created for Old Boys and friends of the school to help support Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s Football programme with the goal to be one of the best football schools in the country.The school have been National Champions on four occasions – 1983 (first time a school outside of Auckland winning Nationals), 1994, 1995, 2010.To remain competitive and lift our results on a national level, we need to be innovative in our planning and preparation. The Football Supporters Club Fund will be used to assist with quality coaching and technological resources such as; player analysis, additional equipment, travel and other costs associated with the running of the school’s 1st XI and Football Development Programmes.All members of the Football Supporters Club will receive a supporter’s beanie, a schedule of 1st XI fixtures and match reports. The fund will be administered by the Old Boys Association with support from the teacher in charge of football.Electronic Banking:Account Name: Football Supporters AccountAccount number: 01-0745-0025368-03Code: FootballReference: SurnameYour donation can be either a one-off minimum yearly payment of $100 (or more at your discretion) or a minimum monthly payment of $10 (or more at your discretion).Please include: Football as the Code & Surname as the Reference.Once you have commenced payment, please email Rachel Wenham ([email protected]) the following details:Name If you were involved with the 1st XI Football Team in which year(s) Postal address Mobile Phone We will send you the beanie and other information related to the Football Supporters Club.PNBHS has historically had a strong football fraternity and we thank you for supporting the school and the reputation of the 1st XI Football.

398 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025STU’S 2025 OLD BOYS SNIPPETSStu has been busy gathering information on what our old boys have been up to. Rubayet Arefin (2009–13) – is a junior doctor at Lakes District Health Board, Rotorua.Brook Chamberlain (2006–10)– Customer Success Manager at Maropost.Jorden Martens (2008–12) – is the Base Manager at Air Chathams in Whanganui.Brett Davis (1992–93) – is the Vehicle Sales Manager for McVerry Crawford Motors in Palmerston North. His son is a Year 11 at school.Phillip Vyver (1989–93) – is the CEO, Netball Northern Zone and Northern Mystics. He has extensive experience in sports management, including Archery and Bowls Auckland. Phillip has a Bachelor of Leisure Studies (Leisure and Recreational Activities) from the University of Waikato and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies (Business Administration and Management) from the University of Auckland.Jamie Swan (1989–93) – after completing a Bachelor of Regional Planning with Honours from Massey University, Jamie has had extensive experience in England and New Zealand. He is currently in a senior leadership role with Beca’s “Northern Planning and Engagement” business unit, a team of 50 highly engaged and high-performing advisers. Jamie balances this role with leading and delivering a range of transportation, education, and major infrastructure projects for clients such as schools, urban cycleways, and energy transmission projects. Zane Gemmell (1989–93) – after being in Australia for 11 years, Zane and his family moved to Alexandra, Central Otago, in 2012, where he joined Mike Pero as a mortgage broker.Oliver Bates (1996–00) – is the Communications and Engagement Lead for the Serious Fraud Office in Wellington. After completing a BA (Honours) in Political Science and Media Studies from Victoria University, Oliver has specialised as a communications adviser in both government departments and private enterprise, in both the UK and Wellington region.Wayne Shaw (1983–87) – joined Alliance Group as General Manager, Safety and Processing, in December 2023. He has 34 years’ experience in the red-meat processing sector, including 23 years at Silver Fern Farms in a number of senior roles, concluding as Operations Manager of their sheep and venison operation. In that role, Wayne was responsible for 12 plants, livestock procurement, cold stores, and transport reporting, as well as a shared

2025 THE PALMERSTONIAN | 399responsibility for Group Engineering. Most recently, Wayne was Chief Operating Officer, Processing and Special Projects, at Harvest Road Group in Western Australia, which covers beef processing, farming/feedlots, and oyster farming. Wayne has a Bachelor of Technology (First Class Honours) in Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering (Massey University) and a Master of Business Administration (Distinction) (Massey University). For the old hands, Wayne’s dad, Owen, was a former Science teacher at PNBHS. Senior Police Constable Conrad Smith (1990–94), National Park – received the 2023 NZ Search and Rescue Award for his service and commitment to search and rescue and the Ruapehu Emergency Services Charitable Trust.Ben Mitchell (2011–15) – is Central Football’s Competitions Manager – West.Gordon Watson (1987–91)– is the General Manager for Auckland City Football Club. He was awarded Māori Sports Administrator of the Year at the Māori Sports Awards 2024. The award recognised Gordon’s role in another big season for Auckland City FC, who won the National League Championship Grand Final and went on to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. They were well beaten by Bayern Munich but stunned the football world by drawing with Boca Juniors from Argentina. Gordon holds a BA (double major in English and Political History) and postgraduate qualifications in journalism, business administration, and public relations from Massey University. Over the past 20 years, Gordon has worked in senior leadership media roles with FIFA, Oceania Football Confederation, NZ Football, and Auckland Football Federation, has been a lead broadcast commentator for OFC TV, Sky Sport, and IMG, a journalist for the Waikato Times, a contributing writer to The Scottish Sun and Daily Record in the UK, and held a seat on the Ballon d’Or jury from 2007 to 2022. He has also provided event consultancy to top-tier clubs in Europe, with roles at FIFA including three FIFA World Cups as a press officer from 2002 to 2022. Other events-related work includes editorial roles on news desks at the Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup, Olympic Games, and Commonwealth Games.Craig Deuchress (1984–88) – is a Senior Associate with Collyer Bristow law firm in London, UK.Jeff Law (1990–94) – is the Senior Director, Structured Finance and M&A, at Lightsource bp in Sydney, Australia. Jeff was Head Prefect in 1994.Seamus Barnett (2009–13) – is a Senior Solicitor with Buddle Findlay in Auckland. He specialises in banking and finance law and has experience advising lenders and borrowers domestically and internationally. Seamus was Head Prefect in 2013.Hamish Gordon (1993–97) – is based in Auckland and is the Group Chief Executive Officer at Global Endeavours Group. Hamish studied at the Universities of Otago, Lincoln, and Massey. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Finance. He founded Natural Sugars (2009), Pure Bottling (2014), The Premium Liquor Company (2017), Global Endeavours Australia (2021), and invested in Plant Projects Australasia (2021). With a strong commercial background, a passion for business, and a desire to challenge the status quo, Hamish has enjoyed the success of his group of companies to date. He is very proud of his entrepreneurial, passionate, and determined team who drive the business forward every day. He considers the journey ahead exciting as the group embarks on its global strategy.James Mitchell (1987–91) – is the Executive Director of the NZ Canoe Polo Association.

400 | THE PALMERSTONIAN 2025Greg Dixon (1980–84) – is a senior journalist who worked as a news reporter, TV reviewer, feature writer, and magazine editor at the New Zealand Herald for 20 years. He was also a staff writer for North & South and Metro magazines. While editing the Herald’s Canvas, it won Best Newspaper Magazine in 2011. He has won awards for feature and travel writing and has written for the Listener since 2017. After being made redundant from the NZ Herald, he relocated to a 12-acre block in the Wairarapa.Callum Brown (1992–96) – is the Principal Consultant/Director of Ontrack Project Consulting, based in Sydney. Callum has a Bachelor of Applied Science from Massey University and specialises in sports-turf construction and management. He also has a National Certificate in Sports Turf Management through the NZ Sports Turf Institute. He has worked in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. The core expertise of Callum’s company, Ontrack, is the feasibility, planning, design, construction, and refurbishment of equine sports and landscape facilities for sports clubs, industry bodies, government agencies, private developers, schools, universities, and local communities. Callum has over nine years of equine-industry projectmanagement experience, working previously with the Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW. This complements his 20 years’ experience in project management. He provided advisory services to NZ Thoroughbred Racing as a subject-matter expert during the development of their three synthetic tracks. His services included lessons-learnt workshops with trainers, jockeys, administrators, and maintenance staff, and advising the project and design teams on best-practice standards. Early in his career he was the Leisure Assets Officer for the Palmerston North City Council, including planning for the maintenance, operation, renewal, and development of sports facilities to meet the needs of Palmerston North citizens.Trevor Jackson (1969–70) – has been the owner/operator of Jackson Enterprises in Pahiatua since 1990 and employs 40 people. He was inducted into the NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame in 2024 for his contribution to the road-transport industry. Trevor started as a diesel mechanic servicing trucks and buses for D. P. Ryan and Sons in Pahiatua before moving to Eric Gleeson and Sons. He worked for Feast Contractors near Huntly and at Fonterra near Pahiatua, working on LPG-powered trucks. He started Jackson Enterprises as a general engineering, servicing, and repair business, which has grown to become a sought-after body builder and trailer manufacturer, completing work for customers nationwide. Trevor’s can-do attitude and ability to think outside the square have led to many innovative products. The aluminium monocoque livestock chassis has become one of Jackson Enterprises’ most effective trademarks, arising from a desire to reduce tare weight and maximise load. Another speciality has been the company’s remotely operated effluent valves as a standard fitment on all Jackson stock trailers. These valves have gained a solid reputation in Australia, where they are utilised by four of Australia’s trailer manufacturers. Jackson Enterprises’ car transporters have become a regular sight on highways, transporting vehicles across New Zealand. Trevor — or Jacko — has a drive and uncanny ability to achieve things that most would say are not possible. One need only look at the fully functional 380-metre rollercoaster he has built in his backyard as an example of what is possible. He is heavily involved in the local community, whether sponsoring events, donating to fundraisers, or giving up his time to help those in need. On a hot day, he has been known to buy a bunch of ice blocks to hand out to road workers as he drives past.Steve Smith (1966–69) – also attended Winchester and PNINS. Steve’s favourite teacher was Mr Murray (Pinoak). Steve lives in Evergreen, Colorado, in the mountains west of Denver. He says “idyllic” is a fair description of his and his wife’s location, where the backyard is home to bears, bobcats, deer, and herds of elk that surround the house regularly (he sent photographic evidence). Steve says he stumbled into IT in the punch-card days (1974 at Wattie’s in Hastings) and never looked back, finishing in commercial printing. He and his Australian wife have been in the States for 34 years and consider it home. Twice retired, they now spend plenty of time travelling. Steve describes himself as a serial entrepreneur with particular expertise in internet-based business models, digital printing (particularly product labels), operational analysis and improvement, and customer relationship management. He achieved four “Inc. 500” awards for fastest-growing, privately owned companies in the US (in two different start-ups). His last business before retirement was Wizard Labels, where he was founder/CEO; it was recognised as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies in the 2019 and 2020 Inc. 500 lists, plus the Financial Times 500 list for 2020. The company was acquired by Brook & Whittle in 2020.Sam Poananga (1998–02) – is the Workforce Enablement Manager for BNZ in Wellington. The role includes employee engagement and cultural transformation.