Hall of Fame

Hon Sir Grant Hammond was knighted for services to the law. Justice Hammond was appointed as a High Court Judge in 1992 and as a Judge of the Court of Appeal in 2004. He practised in Auckland as a partner in Wiseman and Hammond, then as a litigation partner in Hamilton for Tompkins Wake and Co. He became a Professor of Law at Dalhousie University and the University of Alberta in Canada and was appointed head of the Alberta Law Reform Commission. In 1989 he returned to Auckland and was appointed a Professor of Law at the University of Auckland and subsequently became Dean of Law. He also taught at Cornell University, New York and was the Robert S Campbell Fellow at Magdalen College of Oxford University in 2008. As a High Court Judge, Justice Hammond presided over a number of civil and criminal cases. As a senior Judge on the Court of Appeal, his extensive judicial experience and his view of the law have been highly valued. Justice Hammond is now President of the Law Commission.

Distinguished Prof. Sir William (Bill) Denny ONZM FRSNZ

Bill Denny was Dux of Te Awamutu College in 1961. He trained at Auckland and Oxford Universities as a medicinal chemist/drug designer. Co-founding scientist of Proacta Therapeutics, and co-PI in the Centre for Molecular Bioscience, University of Auckland. Past-President of the NZ Society for Oncology and the NZ Institute of Chemistry. Rutherford Medallist of the Royal Society of NZ, and Adrian Albert Medallist of the UK Royal Society of Chemistry. Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to cancer research.

Bill leads the Medicinal Chemistry Group at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre.

Distinguished Professor Bill Denny has been at the forefront of anticancer drug research for more than 40 years and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 for his contributions in this field.

Professor Denny has continued in his role as Director of the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre at the University of Auckland, having held the position since 1999. Over the course of his career he has led teams which have taken 15 cancer drugs from the discovery phase through to clinical trials, and in some cases application in the clinic. Additional research at the Centre has led to an anti-tuberculosis drug in 2015 and an anti-Leishmaniasis drug in 2017. As part of the development of these drugs, he has been a co-founding scientist with Proacta Theraputics in San Diego and Pathway Theraputics in San Fransisco, and has worked with the Global Alliance for TB and the Geneva-based Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative. He co-founded Kea Theraputics in 2018, which is developing a range of anaesthetics and analgesics to reduce the reliance on opioids. He has authored more than 700 publications is a co-inventor on close to 70 US patents. Professor Denny was appointed to the American Chemical Society Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame in 2016.

Knighted in 2021 for services to medical research.

Frank Nolan attended Te Awamutu College from 1966-71.

Frank was Deputy Director for Population Methodology and Statistical Infrastructure at the Office for National Statistics. He was elected as a member of the ISI in 1999, and became a member of both the IAOS and the IASS in 1992, and a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society in 2002. He was elected to the RSS Council in 2011.

Frank was an international statistician. He began his career in New Zealand and ended it in the UK. He covered opposite ends of the globe, and that global reach gave him an approach to his statistics that was broad, open and challenging.

Born in New Zealand in 1953, Frank graduated from Canterbury University in 1979 with a PhD in Mathematics, having previously gained his BSc and MSc at the Victoria University of Wellington. In 1980 he began working in Statistics New Zealand as a Research Officer in Statistical Methods Division, later becoming Senior Research Officer, and subsequently Manager of the Mathematical Statistics Branch from 1988 to 1992. He made a great mark there, both lifting the managerial practices of the division, and ensuring the overall robustness of the statistical advice that underpinned New Zealand’s official statistics.

Frank managed the Survey Contracts Division from 1992-1993, standardising the management of all surveys, and was Chief Economist Business Statistics from 1994-1997. He was General Manager of the 2001 Census from 1997 to 2002.

He became a member of the New Zealand Mathematical Society in 1980 and the New Zealand Statistical Association in 1986.

Frank moved to the UK with his family and joined the Office for National Statistics in August 2002. At the ONS, Frank held a number of Deputy Director posts initially managing Quality and Risk Management Division and more latterly concerned with methodology of social statistics, and then the 2011 census. For a brief period he was temporarily promoted to be ONS Director of Methodology.

Frank continually looked for new challenges and for ways in which he could further serve the statistical community. After some years of reviewing papers for the Statistical Journal of the IAOS, Frank became its Editor in Chief. He became involved in the RSS Centre for Statistical Education. He forged strong links with academic institutions, working with Southampton University to develop the MSc in Official Statistics, which he taught for many years.

Brian Stannett attended Te Awamutu College from 1954-57. Brian has been acknowledged for Service to Wrestling for 50 years –He has been President of NZ Wrestling and has held a wide range of other executive positions . In 1955 he started wrestling at Y.M.I Te Awamutu as a 13 years old. His wrestling achievements include: 1968/1971 NZ Champion, NZ Team NZ/Australian Champs, 1971 Veterans Champ. 1972 Asst club coach at Y,M.I.,1974 Worked with Dr Dale Thomas in preparation of Commonwealth Games squad. He has had many overseas trips as Coach & Manager, World Schoolboys, two Commonwealth Games. Brian has refereed for many years and in 1999 he was awarded Asia/Oceania Most Outstanding Referee/Judge.

As a player, coach and referee Barbara has more than 30 years involvement with North Harbour Basketball Association, Auckland. Barbara’s interest in basketball began at Te Awamutu College in the mid 1960’s with her coach and teacher, Mr Dee. Playing at school level, she played representative basketball for Waikato Schools and the National School’s team.However, it is at an administrative level in basketball, where Barbara’s commitment and service to a sport she loves, are outstanding.  Barbara’s administrative and leadership roles in New Zealand basketball include:

• President Basketball New Zealand

• President FIBA Oceania

• President North Harbour Basketball Association

• Secretary, Treasurer, North Shore Stadium Trust

• Tournament Coordinator, Chairperson North Shore Stadium Trust

• Convenor National Leagues Sub- Committee

• Co Ordinator of the Miniball Development Sub –Committtee

A Trustee of Sport North Harbour.

Graham A. Jamieson was former research director of American Red Cross Blood Services.

Dr. Jamieson worked for the organization for 38 years. He oversaw major growth in the program and expanded into new scientific and technical fields.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Dr. Jamieson graduated from the University of Otago there, where he also received a master's degree in science in 1951. He received a doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of London's Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine in 1954. He later received a second doctorate in organic chemistry and biochemistry in 1972, also from the University of London.

Research fellowships took him to the Royal Technical University in Stockholm from 1955 to 1956 and then to the Cornell Medical College in New York in 1956 and 1957. He then joined the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, USA as a visiting scientist.

In addition to Dr. Jamieson’s long and distinguished career as an innovative scientist and leader in biomedical research and development, he was a charter member of The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis and an active worker in the Scientific and Standardization Committee. He served on the Central Committee of the SSC from 1991 to 1997 and was the recipient of the Shirley A. Johnson Memorial Lectureship at the XVI ISTH Congress in Florence, Italy.

Dr Harvey D White is now a director of Coronary Care and Cardiovascular Research at Green Lane Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, and a Honorary Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Auckland. He received MBCh B. And Doctorate of Science from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 1973 and 1995 respectively, He started his career as a House Surgeon at Kew Hospital in New Zealand in 1974 and has moved to work at Green Lane Hospital in 1978 as a Cardiology Registrar

Dr White has delivered lectures in 27 countries to promote the wider use of thrombolytic therapy, and has contributed 169 peer-reviewed journal articles, 18 editorials and 22 textbook chapters to the scientific literature. He is also an editorial board member of eight medical journals, including Heart and Circulation, and reviews research papers for 15 journals. As a result of his work, thrombolytic therapy was introduced several years earlier than would otherwise have been possible, and many lives have been saved as a result.

Neil Finn is a songwriter. He was born in Te Awamutu on May 27, 1958, the youngest child to accountant, Richard Finn, and Irish immigrant, Mary Finn (nee Mullane). Neil's happy childhood included parties in the family home, complete with wine and song, catholic priests in attendance, and an obligatory performance from Neil and older brother Tim. Mother, Mary, was known for her enthusiastic songs on the piano...all in the same key, while their father, Richard, though a music enthusiast, was tone deaf. The boys both took music lessons, beginning with piano, and their mother taught them to sing in harmony.

Though Tim was the more reluctant performer of the two, in 1972 he went on to form one of the most successful bands to ever originate from New Zealand, Split Enz. Neil was too young to join the band initially, as he was still in school, but sometimes opened for Split Enz as a solo artist in the band's early years. When Neil left school, because they would not let him major in music, he took a job as a hospital orderly and formed a band called After Hours.

One day, Neil's unexpectedly got a call from older brother Tim, asking him to join Split Enz as lead guitarist. Though Neil only was proficient on acoustic guitar, not electric, he agreed to join...eventually. As the story goes, Tim was surprised when Neil said he would have to think about it....after all, he had his current band to consider. Split Enz was taking a big leap of faith, trusting in his talent and ability to learn, and after a period of keeping his guitar playing low in the mix, and band members refusing to play on the same side of the stage as him (he was that bad) eventually Neil grew into his role. And then some. Not only is Neil a skilled and respected guitarist today, but some of Split Enz's biggest hits are Neil's originals, including "Message to My Girl" and "I Got You". Not long prior to joining Split Enz in 1977, Neil was introduced to Sharon Johnson, who he married in 1982, and with whom he had two children, Liam (1983) and Elroy (1989).

After Split Enz broke up in 1984, Neil and Australian Enz drummer, Paul Hester, formed a band called The Mullanes with Australians Nick Seymour and Craig Hooper. Craig soon left the band, and the name changed to Crowded House, reflecting the cramped quarters in which they lived while in Los Angeles, recording their self-titled debut album,. Crowded House managed to break the US market with #2 hit song, "Don't Dream It's Over", something Split Enz had been unable to accomplish. However, in the US, their success was short lived, and they were known as one-hit-wonders, while in the rest of the world, they were just getting started. Crowded House went on to record 3 more albums, "Temple of Low Men", "Woodface" and "Together Alone", which, despite increasing success in Europe, Australia and elsewhere, had little success in North America. Elsewhere in the world, the band continued to have success, their fourth album receiving high critical acclaim. Also, multi-instrumentalist, Mark Hart, who had toured with the band for years, joined as an official member for their fourth album. During the tour for "Together Alone", Paul Hester, after years of suffering with bouts of depression, reached a breaking point and felt the need to leave the band. He was replaced by drummer, Peter Jones for the remainder of the tour, but the band broke up shortly after. Their final concert, entitled Farewell to the World, took place on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 1996, before an audience of an estimated 150 thousand people.

Neil went on to release two solo albums, "Try Whistling" This and "One Nil" (known in some parts of the world as "One All", which has an alternate track listing). Both albums, fan favorites, received higher critical acclaim than commercial success. The same is true for the two Finn Brothers albums with brother Tim, "Finn" and "Everyone is Here". Neil's other projects include a soundtrack for New Zealand movie, Rain, and various collaborations. Of particular note is the 7 World Collide projects, which featured Neil and friends in a super band of sorts, and including Johnny Marr, Eddie Vedder, Phil Selway, Ed O'Brien, Lisa Germano, Sebastian Steinburg and others. The second project did not include Eddie Veddier, but saw the addition of Wilco, including Jeff Tweedy, KT Tunstall, and New Zealanders Don McGlashan and Bic Runga. Both projects saw the involvement of Neil's brother Tim and Son, Liam, with the second involving, as well, Neil's younger son, Elroy, and wife, Sharon. In fact, the second project was a family affair all around with other band members' families getting involved.

After the death of drummer Paul Hester in 2004, Neil felt drawn to rekindle his musical and personal relationships with Nick Seymour and Mark Hart, and the result was a new Crowded House album, "Time on Earth", with Beck drummer, Matt Sherrod. The album is laden with echos of the grief and loss regarding the death of their former band-mate. The second album from reformed Crowded House, "Intriguer", showed a new band, carving a new identity. Both albums included world tours.

After the second reformed Crowded house tour, Neil and Sharon Finn found themselves dealing with the new experience of "empty nest", and began having late night jams in their pyjamas. Sharon was a novice on bass guitar, and, so, Neil, so as not to place himself as the "superior" musician in the duo, chose an instrument where he was not proficient, the drums. The recording that came out of these jams evolved, with the the help of friend, Sean Donnelly, into tracks for an album under the name Pajama Club, the spelling reflecting the origin of the band: Pa and Ma having a jam...in their pyjamas! The original name was to be Pajama Party, but the name was already taken. The band did little touring, with drummer Alana Skyring, before its current hiatus, with no word on whether it may reemerge.

Neil's third solo album, due out mid to late 2013, which involves his wife and both sons - a true family affair. Also, Neil has co-written and performed the song for the closing credits for the movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", released in December, 2012.

Gary Grylls, jockey, landed 1,252 winners during a 28-year career & retired as the 13th most successful jockey in NZ racing history. His NZ Group One winners include Kerry Lane (Auckland Cup), Sound The Alarm (Railway Handicap) & Ballroom Babe. Gary rode Kerry Lane to win the 1986 Auckland Cup. He won the Easter Handicap, aboard Cosmetique in 1986. Gary twice won the Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes, the forerunner to the Diamond Stakes, on Ballroom Babe in 1995 and Winged Foot in 2000.

New Zealand's most prolific winning reinsman of all time, Herlihy dominates the list of drivers of Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final winners in a manner similar to that in which his Australian counterparts Brian Hancock and Natalie Rasmussen have captured the laurels in the pacing section.

Herlihy's Trotting Grand Final victories have been recorded with Diamond Field (1994), Pride Of Petite (1997), Buster Hanover (1998) and Delft (2006).

These triumphs form a significant chapter in the outstanding career to date of Herlihy, who, purely through innate ability, raced virtually out of nowhere into the forefront of the code. From modest beginnings in the mid-l970s, he quickly enhanced his reputation to become an enduring household name in harness racing in this part of the world.

The Herlihy saga began when as a youngster in a "non-trotting" family in Te Awamutu he enjoyed spending school holidays helping his uncle, the late Arnie Gadsby, who was then stable foreman for legendary trainer Roy Purdon.

Upon leaving school, Tony, as a 16-year-old, joined up with uncle Arnie, who by this time was flourishing as private trainer for high-profile Auckland owner Ted Bennett. From a small string in that stable came a tidy percentage of winners, most notable of them being 1974 Great Northern Derby and 1975 Auckland Cup victor Captain Harcourt.

During eight years working full-time with his uncle, Herlihy launched his driving career as "probationer" (junior) at 19 years old in the 1977/78 season. Not possessing a family background recognised in the game, it took time to prove he was worth driving assignments. He won a couple of races in that first season and 11 the next.

By his third season, Tony had reached the top of the juniors' list. In 1980/81 he shared the title with Cantabrian Paul Young, while in his final term at that level he was out on his own, his 42 wins well clear of runner-up Robin Swain's 27. It actually placed him fifth in the overall national premiership, and he became the first to rack up 100 wins whilst licensed as a junior.

Having married Suzanne, daughter of Roy and Margaret Purdon, late in 1981, it was inevitable that Tony would become part of the powerful Purdon machine that incorporated the two thriving South Auckland complexes of Roy and his eldest son and partner Barry.

Tony officially signed up with them in 1986, and it was a union ordained to be victorious. That season runner-up to arch rival Maurice McKendry in the drivers' premiership, Herlihy gained international acclaim when taking out the World Driving Championship from Compatriate and defending titleholder Bob Cameron in the 1985 series, waged on both sides of the Tasman.

As first driver for the all-conquering Purdon camp, it was a foregone conclusion that Herlihy would add to his credits. In the 1986/87 season, his 114 winners bettered his own record, and he outdid that with 118 the following term.

Season 1993/94 was a most memorable one for Tony Herlihy. He toppled Maurice McKendry from the driver's premiership and won the newly-formulated Australasian Drivers Championship (waged at Auckland and Cambridge). On the way to his 124 wins for stakes totalling $1.4 million in his homeland, Herlihy guided the Purdon stable star Chokin to victories in the New Zealand Free-for-All and Cup and Auckland Cup. For good measure, he and Chokin easily took the Miracle Mile at Sydney's Harold Park and the Victoria Cup at Melbourne's Moonee Valley.

After qualifying with a win, a fifth and a second in his heats of the 1994 Sydney Inter Dominions, Chokin had to be sensationally withdrawn from the Grand Final, due to an apparent bacterial infection. Herlihy gained substantial compensation by taking out the Trotters Grand Final with the Purdon stable's top square-gaiter of the time, Diamond Field. Boasting excellent New Zealand form with him, Herlihy reined him to second placings in each of his two heats, earning favouritism for the big event. His many supporters would have gasped as he broke and lost 50 metres in the early running. But he was not to be denied. Catching the field two laps out, he stormed home wide out to score by just over a length.

For good measure, Herlihy and Diamond Field wound up a wonderful 1994 campaign by winning the Rowe Cup in Auckland. They finished third in the 1995 Grand Final (won in Christchurch by Call Me Now) and sixth in Melbourne in 1996 (won by Mark Purdon with Pride of Petite).

Driving Pride Of Petite in defending her title at the 1997 Inter Dominion carnival in Adelaide, Herlihy reined her to a thrilling win in a close photo-finish, from a 40m mark. A year later, in Sydney, he took out the coveted event with the favourite, Buster Hanover, handicapped off 30m. This hard fought victory also confirmed Herlihy's claims for entry into the Inter Dominion Hall of Fame.

In 2006 he scored his fourth Trotting Grand Final win in Melbourne with Delft, assisted by specialist pre-training beach work, and a fast start in the final. His 2009 runner-up finish with trotter One Over Kenny NZ, followed by a fourth place with Raydon in 2011, show his reinsmanship continues at a high level.

From 12 appearances in Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Finals through 2011, Herlihy finished closest when runner-up with Chokin behind Golden Reign in Christchurch in 1995.

In all, Herlihy's winning tally at Inter Dominion level including the 2011 series is 17 qualifying divisions with trotters and 12 with pacers. He won a Trotting Consolation with Breton Abbe in Christchurch in 1995 and Pacing Consolations with Ginger Man (1995) and Brabham (Adelaide, 1997).

Apart from his grand Inter Dominion record, Herlihy boasts three New Zealand Cup wins with Luxury Liner (l988), Christopher Vance (1991) and Chokin (1993), while he has won an impressive eight Auckland Cups: Comedy Lad (1986), Luxury Liner (1987 and 1988), Christopher Vance (1991), Chokin (1993 and 1994) plus Sharp and Telford (1996) and Gotta Go Cullen (2008).

Eight times New Zealand's leading reinsman between 1984/85 and 2004/05, Herlihy continues to add to his achievements. At the close of the 2008/2009 season, he led his country's honours list with 2870 wins and 59 Group 1 victories. That year his tally featured three Trotters Grand Circuit wins with One Over Kenny NZ, including the mare's second Rowe Cup, and making her the first Kiwi trotting mare to win $1 million. On the last night of season 2010/11, he claimed a second successive Drivers' Championship at Alexandra Park when he drove three winners, pipping fellow achiever David Butcher by two.

In that same season, on 25th February, Herlihy became the first New Zealand driver to record 3000 wins, which represented an impressive average of some 91 wins/season since his first with Gymea Gold at Cambridge in January 1978.

His consistency continued during 2011/12, when he by-passed the Inter Dominion (Melbourne & Sydney), and finished in the top five national drivers list. On several occasions, he again scored multiple victories in meetings at Alexandra Park and he captured a third successive driving premiership there with 59 wins. Classy performers such as Pembrook Benny, Triumphant Monarch, Ohoka Punter and Statesman featured among his successes, which reinforced his position as leader of the national 1,000 driving wins club.

The highlight of 2012 would have been his New Year's Honour award as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM); he was somewhat disconcerted, but was “honoured to accept it; a recognition like this is very special”.

His driving skills are in great demand, as evidenced by his career figures of some 17,000 starts in New Zealand plus Australia by end season 2011/12; he has recorded over 3,100 wins and his prize-money tally is close to $31 million.

Success as a trainer has also come his way. After serving for several seasons as right–hand man in the South Auckland stable of Barry Purdon’s youngest brother Mark, Herlihy began the new millennium by setting himself up as a public trainer upon Mark moving to re–establish in Canterbury. Fame and fortune in this role were quick to follow.

On a memorable night at Auckland's Alexandra Park in October, 2001, Herlihy wrote himself again indelibly into the history books by driving seven of the 10 winners, four of them from his own stable.

Since 2001/02, he has averaged over 55 wins per season as a trainer, with his horses' earnings for his owners in New Zealand alone already more than $7.2 million. Among his lead horses was One Over Kenny, chosen as the Grand Circuit Trotters Champion (2008/2009), with three major wins and a second placing, well ahead of Sundons Gift and Stig. This great mare retired at end 2010, after winning just over $1 million, and current stable "stars" include Livingontheinterest, Statesman, and Bettor Dream.

Through his dual careers and strong performances as both driver and trainer Tony Herlihy has built up a significant presence and influence in the industry over some three decades. This was recognized at the 2011 North Island Awards night when he received the Racing Achievement Award during a "This is Your Life " style tribute segment.

INTER DOMINION DRIVER WINS RECORD FOR TONY HERLIHY

INTER DOMINION TROTTERS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL:

Delft NZ (2006)

Buster Hanover NZ (1998)

Pride Of Petite USA (1997)

Diamond Field NZ (1994)

INTER DOMINION CONSOLATION

PACERS:

Brabham NZ (1997)

Gingerman NZ (1995)

TROTTERS:

Breton Abbe NZ (1995)

INTER DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP HEATS

PACERS:

Auckland Reactor NZ (2009)

Sly Flyin NZ (2003)

Courage Under Fire NZ (2000)

Anvil Vance NZ (1998)

Try A Fluke NZ (1998)

Chokin NZ (1994, 1995)

Christopher Vance NZ (1992 x 2, 1993)

Luxury Liner (1988)

Ao Marama (1983)

TROTTERS:

Raydon (2011)

One Over Kenny NZ (2009)

Allegro Agitato NZ (2005)

Delft NZ (2005 x 2, 2006 x 2)

Last Sunset NZ (2001 x 2)

Kawarau Invasion NZ (2000)

Sundons Way NZ (1999 x 2)

Buster Hanover NZ (1998 x 2)

Pride Of Petite USA (1997)

Diamond Field NZ (1995)

Andrew Nicholson (born 1 August 1961 in Te Awamutu) is a New Zealand horseman who has been selected for nine Olympic Games. He won a gold medal at the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, a silver at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and a Bronze at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Born and raised in the Waikato Nicholson moved to England in the 1980s to further his equestrian career, where he currently works as a horse trainer.

• Six Olympic Games (Andrew and Mark Todd are NZ's most capped Olympians from any sport)

• Olympic team silver medal – 1992

• Olympic team bronze medal – 1996

• Six World Championships for NZ

• World Championships team gold medal – 1990

• World Championships individual bronze medal – 2010

• World Championships team bronze medal - 2010

• Won the 2011 British Open – and was second on his other mount

• World Equestrian Festival (Aachen) silver team medal - 2010

• Won Burghley 1995 and 2000

• First ever non German to win the CICO3* - 2010

• Former no. 1 ranked rider in International Equestrian Federation World Eventing

• 2011 No 1 British Eventing Rankings

• 2012 FEI Eventing Rider Rankings (as at 1 June 2012) – No 2

• 2011 FEI Eventing Rider Rankings – No 3

• 2011 season – won 4 3* events and podium placed in nearly every start

• Winner of the British Premier League (2007)

• 1st 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* aboard Quimbo

• 2013 2nd Badminton Horse Trials

He won the Badminton Horse Trials in 2017 with Nero & was made an Officer to the Order of Merit for services to equestrian.

Paul attended Te Awamutu College from 1971-74. In 1977 he set a new world record for 100 yard backward running, with a time of 13.4 seconds and a world record for the 100m backwards, with a time of 14.6 seconds. In 1979 he set new records for the 100 yard backwards (13.1 sec) and 100m backwards (14.4 sec). He is also a former New Zealand Champion for 400m, 400m hurdles and Decathlon.

Warren David Gatland (born 17 September 1963) is a former All Black and head coach of the Wales national team and the British and Irish Lions Team of 2013 for the tour of Australia.

Gatland was born in Hamilton, New Zealand and educated at Te Awamutu College, Hamilton Boys' High School and Waikato University. His first game as an All Black was in 1988, when he is said to have introduced a part-Australian Rules, part-Gaelic football game to the training sessions, which was well received by the other players.

Gatland became the record-holder of the most games for Waikato near the end of the 1994 season. He finished the season with 140 games in total and announced his retirement before the start of the 1995 season. Gatland played 17 matches for the All Blacks, scoring two tries. A robust, skilful hooker who had been a loose forward until he was 21, his international career was stymied by Sean Fitzpatrick’s longevity and dominance in the hooking position.

The trained teacher was instead a stalwart of Waikato provincial rugby and played against the 1993 Lions, scoring a try as the province hammered the tourists 38-10.

Tourism’s extraordinary entrepreneurs, Doug and Mike Tamaki, were born and brought up in Te Awamutu.

Mike entered the tourism industry in the 1980s as a coach driver but with his brother set up their own business, Tamaki Tours Ltd, in 1989. With very little finance, Doug's prized Harley Davidson motorcycle was sold for a deposit on a 16 seater minibus. This marked the beginning of a journey to establish Maori culture as a unique icon for New Zealand tourism.

They created from scratch a pre-European Maori village near Rotorua. The business has won countless business and tourism awards, including New Zealand's Supreme Tourism Award and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

They have expanded with similarly themed enterprises in Christchurch and Manakau.

Joey Allen is a sailing legend, a technical sailing coach and video analyst for Emirates Team New Zealand with a long history of performing at the top level. He has raced 18ft skiffs, and crewed in match and fleet racing all over the world. Allen was with Team New Zealand in 1995 when they won the America’s Cup in San Diego and again for the defense in Auckland in 2000. Joey Allen coached the team in 2003 and again in 2009.

Paul Herlihy is a talented distance athlete, who represented New Zealand at the 1990 Commonwealth games, where he finished a creditable 17th in the marathon. He won the New Plymouth marathon in 1991, in a time of 2.13.34, which still stands as the fastest marathon ever run in New Zealand. He also won the Southland marathon in 1993 in a time of 2.15.50, which is the third fastest marathon time in New Zealand.

William Robert Gordon, born 7 August, 1965. Rob played 17 tests for Japan from 1997-99, playing in the 1999 World Cup campaign as an abrasive loose forward. In 1983-84 Rob was a member of the NZ Secondary Schools team. Rob played for the All Blacks in 1990 as a blindside flanker.

Steven Bryan Gordon, born 16 May, 1967. Steve played two tests for the All Blacks in 1993, against Scotland and England. Steve was an All Black from 1989-93. He was part of the NZ Secondary Schools team in 1986, NZ Colts 1987-88, Waikato NPC 1987-97, Waikato Chiefs 1996, Otago Highlanders 1997, Wellington NPC 1998.

Steve is one of Waikato’s most celebrated Centurions, having played 141 games for Waikato and captained Waikato to Ranfurly Shield success.

Scott Bainbridge attended Te Awamutu College from 1982-87. He is one of New Zealand's foremost investigative and True Crime authors. His first two books; Without Trace and Still Missing about missing persons, led to several cold-cases being re-opened, and inspired the acclaimed TVNZ series, The Missing. In his third book; Shot in the Dark, Bainbridge accessed old murder files to examine unsolved NZ murders of the 1920s and 30s, dispelling decades-old myths and uncovering hidden truths.

Bainbridge continues to write and has other similar works in the pipeline. He is actively involved in the continuing investigation of old missing person cases.

Scott Bainbridge is regarded as the New Zealand expert on missing persons and is often asked to comment on cases by the media.

Professor of Graphic Design. Film is Professor Ings’ favourite channel and his interest in the potential of film as a means of story- telling rather than convention, has seen his two short films Boy and Munted selected for numerous international film festivals including Cannes. Boy was shortlisted for the 2006 Academy Awards.

Professor Ings believes there are scholars who write, analyse and contextualise and then there are scholars who create. Obviously he is the latter. He sees creativity as part of normal human thought. With designers its quality lies in the fact that it is not used to prove ‘truth’ He says “We don’t seek the truth when we design; we seek to find the most elegant and appropriate answer. I’m not constrained by the pursuit of truth.”

In 2002 he received the Prime Minister’s Award for Tertiary Teaching Excellence and the NZ Government Award for Sustained Tertiary Teaching Excellence and says his greatest commitment is to teaching. He does not see teaching as dissemination of knowledge, rather, it is creating an environment for learning. Effective learning, he says, involves ongoing, intelligent, disobedient acts that help to move knowledge beyond the constraints of formula.

He completed his PhD in 2005 at AUT on the structure and profiles of narrative music videos and television commercials. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (UK), a member of the Designers Institute of New Zealand, the New Zealand Screen Director’s Guild and an advisor on technology education for the New Zealand Royal Society.

Professor Ings takes his position as critic and conscience of society very seriously and isn’t afraid to deal with marginalised knowledge and issues that are underrepresented. His research and design has seen him tackle the history of the culture of male prostitution, homosexual law reform, mental health and immigration.

He reviews for a number of national and international funding agencies, including Creative New Zealand. He is currently working on a new short film that looks at the nature of shell shock and the consequences of hidden, generational stories. His research also covers the historical metamorphosis of underground languages, methodological approaches to creative practice in higher research degree education, and the role and nature of storytelling as academic inquiry.

Stephen Bell was a New Zealand wrestling representative from 1986-94, competing in the 1986 & 94 Commonwealth Games, as well as several Oceania and Commonwealth Championships.

Wayne Wrathall was a New Zealand wrestling representative from 1986-93, competing in the 1991 Commonwealth Games, as well as several Oceania and Commonwealth Championships.

Shaun Joyce, music industry executive. Died aged 38.

As director of marketing and buying at Sounds Music, Shaun Joyce was one of the most powerful figures in the New Zealand music industry.

His ear for a hit, passion for rock'n'roll and enthusiasm introduced numerous bands to the New Zealand public - and contributed to the success of the Sounds chain, now the country's largest independent retailer.

Born on June 4, 1966, and raised in Te Awamutu, Shaun was a huge fan of Jimmy Barnes. He dreamed of becoming a rock star himself. In the 80s he got a taste, playing drums with bands Joe 90 and the Pink Torpedoes. But his real talent was working with people.

It is typical of Shaun that his foray into the music industry was of his own doing. While working as a trainee manager at Woolworths, he positioned himself as manager of the record bar.

Joyce started working at the Woolworth's record bar after responding to an ad he saw in the window, whilst on his way to sign up with the Territorials, an option which fell by the wayside once he discovered he could forge a career working with music. He eventually ended up as a store manager for one of the HMV shops; and when the HMV chain was sold to Australian chain Brash's, he was brought in by Sean Coleman on Jerry Lloyd’s recommendation when Coleman established the Sounds music stores in 1991. Sounds started with 2 stores in Auckland, which expanded to 49 stores nationwide, with Joyce's influence a huge part of this success. After a brief OE to Australia, he went to work for music chain HMV, managing the Manner's Mall store under Jerry Lloyd.

When HMV was sold, Lloyd recommended him to Sean Coleman, who started the Sounds chain in 1991. While he was there Sounds grew from two Auckland stores to 43 nationwide.

In 2004 Shaun posthumously received the Lifetime Achievement Award from RIANZ president Michael Glading.

In his tribute Mr Glading described Shaun as a person who championed artists saying many, both local and international, owed their music triumphs in New Zealand to Shaun.

Shane attended Te Awamutu College from 1980. He competed for the YMI Wrestling club over a number of years.

He represented Te Awamutu College at National Schools Championships as part of college wrestling team, champion school for a number of years. He was Waikato, North Island and National Champion at 52kg.

Competed at.

• 1982 World Schoolboy Championships USA.

• 1985 Australian Games.

• 1986 Commonwealth Games Edinburgh.

• 1986 Oceania Championships NZ.

• 1987 World Championships France.

• 1990 Oceania Championships.

• 1991 Commonwealth Games.

• 1991 World Championships.

• 1991 Commonwealth Championships.

• 1992 Oceania Championships.

• 1992 Olympic Games Barcelona.

• 1993 Commonwealth Championships.

• 1994 Commonwealth Games Canada

• 1994 Asia/Oceania Championships Indonesia.

Results include:

Tataurangi was born in Auckland. In 1992 he was a member of the New Zealand's winning Eisenhower Trophy team and was the leading individual player in the tournament. He turned professional in 1993 and has played mainly in the United States as a pro. The highlights of his professional career include winning the 1996 Australian PGA Championship and the 2002 Invensys Classic on the PGA Tour.

Ian Winchester (born 27 May 1973) is a discus thrower from New Zealand.

He finished tenth at the 1992 World Junior Championships, eighth at the 1998 World Cup and fifth at the 1998 Commonwealth Games (where he also finished eighth in shot put)[1] He also competed at two World Championships (1997, 1999) as well as the 2000 Summer Olympics without reaching the final round.

His personal best throw is 65.03 metres, achieved in May 2002 in Salinas. This is the current national record, and makes him the third best discus thrower in Oceania after Australians Werner Reiterer and Wayne Martin.

Dr Keith Sircombe Keith Sircombe earned a B.Sc and M.Sc in Earth and Computer Sciences at University of Waikato, New Zealand (1990-1993). His PhD (1998) at the Australian National University investigated the detrital mineral geochronology provenance of ancient and modern sediments in eastern Australia with an application of multi-variate analysis to SHRIMP age data. After post-doctoral positions at the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Western Australia working on detrital provenance studies, Keith moved to Geoscience Australia in 2003. As well as interests in geochronology, Keith has been heavily involved in developing data processing, visualisation and management tools. At Geoscience Australia he has worked recently in the custodianship and development of geochronology data systems, including the prototype ‘geochronML’ model and the on-going Radiogenic Geochronology and Inorganic Geochemistry information model. Keith is currently acting Project Leader of the new SHRIMP facility and is charged with leading the establishment of a Geochronology Data Infrastructure Working Group to advise the Chief Government Geologists Committee.

Bruce Trevor Reihana (born 6 April 1976 in Thames, New Zealand).

Reihana started playing in the National Provincial Championship level with Waikato in 1996 and led them to two Ranfurly Shield victories out of three. He played for the Chiefs in the former Super 12 from 1997 to 2002 with 58 games and 123 points to his name.

Internationally, Reihana represented the New Zealand Sevens in the rugby sevens. He played in the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, winning gold medals on each occasion. He made 11 appearances for New Zealand Maori. He made his debut for New Zealand against France on 18 November 2000.

After not renewing his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union in 2002, Reihana managed to get an overseas contact with Premiership side the Northampton Saints. He was used at fullback and became an influential figure for the Saints and even won the 2003–2004 PRA Players' Player of the Year Award.

Reihana was scheduled to return to New Zealand rugby after his stint in Europe, but it did not materialize as he decided to stay in England. Resuming his career with the Saints, Reihana was promoted to captain after Steve Thompson decided to step down as co-captain.

During a 2006-07 Guinness Premiership match against Gloucester on 23 September 2006, Reihana suffered a knee ligament injury that would sideline him until 2007.

Reihana relinquished the Saints captaincy at the end of the 2008-09 Guinness Premiership, when Dylan Hartley was appointed in his place.

On 2 October 2010 Reihana scored 17 points against the Exeter Chiefs to take him through the milestone of 1,000 points for the Saints.

Bruce left the Northampton Saints at the end of the 2010–11 Aviva Premiership to join the French team, Bordeaux.

Nicky Tyrone Little (born 13 September 1976) in Tokoroa, New Zealand, is a rugby union footballer. He plays at fly-half. He is a nephew of All Blacks centre Walter Little, but represents Fiji at international level.

He has scored 652 points for Fiji and is the Pacific region's second highest point scorer of players who are currently active. He previously played for Canterbury and North Harbour in New Zealand provincial rugby, before moving to England where he played for the Sale Sharks in late 1999. He signed with Dax in France, but soon moved to Pontypridd, before signing with the Saracens.

Little made his test debut for Fiji in 1996 in a match against the Springboks in Pretoria, at just 19 years of age. He finished the 2000 and 2001 Pacific Rim tournaments as the top points scorer. He entered the 2003 Rugby World Cup as Fiji's all-time highest points scorer, with 488 points. He got four caps for Fiji at the 2003 World Cup, scoring a total of 45 points in those games. At the 2007 event he starred as Fiji defeated Wales to reach the quarter-finals, but was injured late in the final group game and missed the quarter-final.

On 15 July 2009, Little signed a one year deal with Bath, with Head Coach Steve Meehan stating that he would be in the squad for the tour to Portugal in late July 2009.

At the midpoint of the 2011/12 season, Little joined RFU Championship side Esher RFC.

At the start of the 2012/13 season Little became part of a joint venture with Canterbury RFC of National League 2 South, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, and The Canterbury High School. Canterbury's Elite Rugby Player Development Centre, headed by Little, is the first of its kind within the country and its aim is to develop grass roots rugby within the area.

Jonathan Brian Gibbes was born on 22 January, 1977, in Henderson. He later attended Te Awamutu College and went on to become a respected international rugby player (blindside flanker and occasional lock).

Jono Gibbes, either at lock or as a blindside flanker, was a prominent and popular player through most of the 2000s, giving excellent service, frequently as captain, especially to Waikato and the Chiefs.

He was justly rewarded with eight test caps in the 2004-05 seasons, but further All Black opportunities were curtailed mainly because of the many injuries he suffered, and perhaps because as a tight forward he tended to fall between two stools. In many ways he resembled a contemporary and rival for an All Black position, Reuben Thorne, and another Cantabrian, Todd Blackadder.

At around 1.94m, like Thorne and Blackadder, he lacked the extreme height of a top international lock and for the back row he was slightly deficient in mobility and agility. But for the most part, he compensated admirably with his application, his determination and his natural leadership skills. And his comparative lack of height did not stop him being an outstanding lineout forward, blessed with an impressive leap and aerial skill.

While he was a worthy All Black, Gibbes probably made his biggest impact at national level with New Zealand Maori, for whom he made nine appearances between 2002 and 2006. He played for the Maori in what effectively was a test against the Wallabies in 2002 and the highlight was another international appearance when at Hamilton in 2005 he led the Maori to a famous win over the Lions.

Gibbes entered first class rugby as a member of the New Zealand under 21 sides in 1997 and 1998 and it was not until the 2000 season he first played for Waikato, appearing in a number of Ranfurly Shield matches including the loss to Canterbury. He did sufficiently well in his debut representative season to make the Chiefs squad for the 2001 Super 12.

For much of his early career Gibbes was usually played at number six and it was in this role primarily, but also for his ability to stand in as a lock, that he won All Black selection for the 2004 season.

He played both of the early season tests against England, starting ahead of Jerry Collins, came on as a substitute against Argentina and then was preferred to Collins against the Pacific Islands and in three of the tri-nations tests, twice against Australia and once against South Africa.

But by the season’s end he was playing more for Waikato in the NPC as a lock and he was chosen in this position for the short European tour. Injury, however, forced his withdrawal, his replacement being none other than Thorne.

In 2005 he had his greatest triumph, leading the Maori against the Lions, but by now Collins was firmly established as the All Blacks’ blindside flanker and Gibbes’ only All Black involvement was as a late replacement at lock in the second test against the Lions in Wellington.

That proved to be Gibbes’ final All Black performance. For the rest of his career persistent injuries meant his first class appearances were sporadic, though playing at lock he achieved another landmark honour, leading Waikato to the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup title in 2006. Gibbes struggled with injuries both for the Chiefs and Waikato in the 2007 season and while he returned as captain of the Chiefs in 2008 he made only three appearances at the start of the Super 14, then two towards the end of the competition from the bench. A chronic knee problem caused his retirement from the game at all levels just before the start of the season’s ANZC competition.

Deeply respected by all in New Zealand rugby, Gibbes bowed out, having played 155 first class games, 68 of which were for the Chiefs and 64 for Waikato.

Brett has travelled the world with motorcycle racing. His major achievements include:

• 1st 1994 NZ 250 Production Championship

• 1st 1994 NZ 250 Production TT

• 1994 Motorcycling New Zealand young rider of the year

• 1st 1995 NZ Twin Sport (Harley Davidson 883) Championship

• 1st 1997 NZ Twin Sport (Harley Davidson 883) Championship

• 1st 1997 NZ BEARS Heritage Championship

• 1st 2000 Isle of Man TT Lightweight (400cc)

Chris was a New Zealand wrestling representative from 1986-94, competing in the 1991 Commonwealth Games, as well as several Oceania and Commonwealth Championships.

Lieutenant Commander Trevor Leslie was born in Te Kuiti, New Zealand on 4 March 1969. He completed his secondary education at Te Awamutu College in 1986. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) as an Ordinary Writer in May 1986. Between August 1986 and March 1988 he undertook general fleet training serving on HMNZ Ships CANTERBURY, WAIKATO, and WELLINGTON, being promoted to Able Writer on 11 July 1987. In March 1988 he completed the RNZN Ships Divers Course, which encompasses all basic forms of Compressed Air Diving to 18 metres. He was awarded Top Student with a pass mark of 92%. In May 1990, the then Able Writer Leslie qualified as an Assistant Physical Training Instructor from the New Zealand Army Physical Training School, and was subsequently promoted to Leading Writer on 17 August 1990.

In 1991, after consolidating his basic diving knowledge with fleet operational experience, Lieutenant Commander Leslie commenced the RNZN Clearance Diver's Course. This course includes NITROX/O2 re-breather diving to 54M, Surface Supply Diving to 55M and air diving to 55M and all the relevant maintenance and theory. He subsequently transferred to the RNZN Specialist Diving Branch as a Leading Diver, which was followed by a posting to the RNZN Diving Tender HMNZS MANAWANUI as the ships diving maintainer, also completing the HELIOX 90m Bell Diving Course at this time. From January 1993 until December 1994 Lieutenant Commander Leslie was posted to the Diving School HMNZS TAMAKI as the assistant instructor for all RNZN Diving Training, completing an Analysis and Design and Instructional Technique Course commensurate with him being the primary developer for RNZN diving training. Between February and August 1995, Lieutenant Commander Leslie served as an instructor at the RNZN New Entry (Rating) School, HMNZS TAMAKI.

In November 1994 he completed the Diving Medical Technicians Course in Adelaide, Australia and in June 1995 commenced his Advanced Clearance Diving Supervisors Course, thereby qualifying him to supervise NITROX, O2 and Air diving to 55m, as well as demolitions training. In January 1996 he completed the Improvised Explosives Device Disposal (IEDD) Course and since this time has been an operational IEDD Operator, to date conducting approximately 70 operational IEDD tasks. Lieutenant Commander Leslie was subsequently promoted to Petty Officer Diver on 1 April 1996.

In May 1996, he was posted to HMNZS TE KAHA, the first of the RNZN ANZAC Class Frigates. He was responsible for the establishment of the Ship’s diving department, which provided the template for the future of operational diving on RNZN ANZAC Frigates. In January 1999 he posted to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Eglin Airforce Base, Florida, USA and completed the Advanced Explosive Ordinance Disposal Course where he was awarded the Honour Graduate Award with a course aggregate of 97.6%.

In October 1999 Lieutenant Commander Leslie completed the HSE Mixed Gas Saturation Diving Course and gained an Australian Diving Accreditation Scheme Part 4 qualification. In May 2000 he was awarded a New Zealand National Certificate in Supervisory Management and also qualified as a National Workplace Diving Assessor. This was shortly followed on 20 June 2000 with promotion to Chief Petty Officer Diver.

In May 2001, Lieutenant Commander Leslie commissioned as an Officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy, graduating as top Commissioned from the Ranks student.

Lieutenant Commander Leslie then posted to the RNZN College as the Diving Training Officer, being responsible for the training of all New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs Service personnel and overseas students in basic and advanced diving, supervising, demolitions and explosives training. Some notable achievements during his appointment were the certification and accreditation of the Royal New Zealand Diving School as an ADAS Accredited Training Institute, and the introduction of a New Zealand National Diploma in Occupational Diving he also introduced the Ordinary Diver Civilian Recruitment Program. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 May 02.

In October 2002 he was appointed as the RNZN Exchange Officer at the Royal Malaysian Diving Center, Malaysia. During this time he commissioned the first RMN deep diving tender and deep diving system. His achievement of safely introducing 100M HELIOX Deep diving program and supervision of the new RMN capability of was recognized by the receipt of the Honorary Order of Chivalry to the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces and Malaysian People by the King of Malaysia. The first and (only to date) NZ Officer to receive this award.

On return from Malaysia in 2005 he posted to HMS COLLINGWOOD, England for Mine Warfare Training before returning to New Zealand and became the Staff Officer Mine Counter Measures where he received into service the first RNZN Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (REMUS).

June 2007 he posted as Senior National Officer for OPERATION LIMA in Southern Lebanon to conduct Battle Area Clearance to reduce the EOD remnants of the 2005 Hezbollah - Israeli war. Returning to NZ in Feb 2008 he posted to the Leadership Development Group before being posted as the Operations Officer to the Littoral Warfare Support Group, His current posting is as Commanding Officer Operational Diving Team.

Aaron was a New Zealand wrestling representative from 1990-2010, competing in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, as well as several Oceania and Commonwealth Championships.

Karl Moore is a former New Zealand road cyclist. He represented New Zealand in the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, placing 17th. He is a previous winner of the Tour of Southland in 2011.

2012 was a breakout for Shilton winning the Te Awamutu's Brad Shilton, winning the 2012 South Pacific Golf Open Championship in New Caledonia, by one stroke, on the Australasian Tour. Shilton has played on the PGA Australasian and Asian Tours. He is renown by his friends as having one of the best short games on tour.

Brendon Cameron (born 12 February 1973) is a former New Zealand track cyclist. He won a bronze medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in the men's team pursuit, and followed it up four years later with another bronze medal in the same event at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. He then moved into coaching, most famously coaching partner Sarah Ulmer to a world record and gold medal in the individual pursuit event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Former host of the longest running children’s television show ‘What Now’ Charles attended Te Awamutu College from 1995-99. He represented New Zealand in Canada and Europe as a member of the NZSS Choir and Youth Choir. Charles graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art, majoring in Classical Singing in 2002. He has performed in major stage productions, including ‘Cats’ and ‘Miss Saigon’.

Timothy Gudsell (born 17 February 1984 in Feilding) is a New Zealand track and road racing cyclist who rides for the PureBlack Racing team. Gudsell turned professional in 2007. Gudsell has plenty of experience in track cycling and has represented New Zealand at this level.

Gudsell made his Grand Tour debut at the 2007 Giro d'Italia where he was unable to complete because of a crash.

2003
New Zealand Scratch Champion
2nd, National U23 Road Race Championship
2nd, National U23 Time Trial Championship
2nd, National Pursuit Championship

2004
1st, Stage 1, Tour of Wellington
2nd, National U23 Road Race Championship
3rd, National U23 Time Trial Championship

2005
Oceania Games, Scratch
Oceania Games, Madison
Oceania Games, Team Pursuit (with Marc Ryan, Jason Allen & Peter Latham)
1st, Manchester, Team Pursuit (with Marc Ryan, Jason Allen & Hayden Godfrey)
Oceania Games, Pursuit

2006
New Zealand Madison Champion (with Marc Ryan)
1st, Stage 1, Tour of Wellington
2nd, National Team Pursuit Championship
Commonwealth Games, Team Pursuit (with Marc Ryan, Peter Latham & Hayden Godfrey)

2007
Oceania Cycling Championship, Team Pursuit
Oceania Cycling Championship, Madison

2011
​​​​​​​1st, Tour of Somerville

Peter David Latham (born January 8, 1984 in Te Awamutu, New Zealand) was a New Zealand representative in cyling. He competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where along with Tim Gudsell, Hayden Godfrey and Marc Ryan he won a bronze medal in the Team pursuit.

He also competed in the team pursuit at the 2004 Olympic Games, where New Zealand finished tenth, and at the 2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, where they claimed the bronze medal.

Peter has competed at 10 World Championships and is a medalist at the U23 Road World Championships and two time medalist at the Track World Championships. He is a Commonwealth Games medalist, a two time Olympian and the current record holder for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

3rd World Road Championships U23 Time Trial 2005 Madrid, Spain
3rd World Track Championships Teams Pursuit 2009, Pruskow, Poland and 2010 Copenhagen, Denmark.
3rd Commonwealth Games Teams Pursuit 2006, Melbourne, Australia
Olympian 2004 Athens, Greece. 2008, Beijing, China.
1st Beijing World Cup Individual Pursuit 2012 Beijing, China
World Ranked No 1 Individual Pursuit 2011-2012 Track Season.
​​​​​​​National Champion Time Trial, Criterium, Individual Pursuit, Teams Pursuit, Scratch Race.

Carla Hohepa (born 27 July 1985).

On 16 October 2007 she made her international debut with New Zealand at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui scoring two tries against Australia and proved herself to be an emerging player with another three tries in the second win over the Wallaroos a few days after (29-12 at Trust Porirua Park near Wellington).

Carla was included in the squad for the 2010 World Cup and became one of the stars of the tournament with her pace, skill-set and vision resulting in seven tries (including a hat-trick in the opening match and some other tries against England, France and Australia).

Carla, who first played for the Black Ferns in 2007 and was named IRB Personality of the Year, playing for the Rugby World Cup winning Black Ferns in the England RWC tournament in 2010. She was also named New Zealand’s Women’s Player of the Year in that year. Carla played for New Zealand in the 2009 Sevens Rugby World Cup, where they lost the final to Australia.

Chyna has been a member of the New Zealand development netball squad. She was a member of the New Zealand U20 Girls’ Touch Team and the New Zealand Women’s Touch Trans-Tasman Team.

Chyna played in the Touch World Cup team in 2011, the Aotearoa Maori Women's 7's Team and the New Zealand Woman’s Sevens Team from the same year.

Graham represented NZ in the NZ rowing team from 2006, aged 17, to 2012. Graham took up rowing in the end of Year 10 at Te Awamutu College. Since then he has picked up a number of North Island & New Zealand Titles in singles, doubles, pairs and eights. Although his highest achievement to date is being a two time Under 23 World Champion in the lightweight double and single scull. Along with the gold medal in the double in 2006, Graham and his partner Peter Taylor managed to set a new world record. Graham was one of four finalists in the Westpac Halberg Awards Emerging Talent category in 2007 and 2009. Graham has been the Waipa and Waikato Junior Sportsman of the year. Graham has represented New Zealand in Waka Ama at the 2004 World Championships Hilo, Hawaii.

A fortuitous road took the Te Awamutu College graduate to the Olympic Games closing ceremony.

As a teenager, he was studying dance at Wellington Performing Arts Centre. In 2007 Stomp came to town and, with a wink from the dance director, they agreed to see him.

Later, Stomp wanted him to audition in the usual spots, New York or London, but they made an exception and agreed to a private audition in Sydney.

Six months later Vincent cut school and flew to London to join the cast.

Now he's among the elite, and has performed at London's West End and travelled the world. Before the Olympics he had been drumming and dancing through Europe, which he has continued to do in the Stomp Dance Troupe.

Emeritus Professor of Statistics (1939-2017).

Alastair Scott, one of the finest statisticians New Zealand has produced. He served the University of Auckland with distinction from 1972 to 2005.

His research was characterised by deep insight and he made pioneering contributions across a wide range of statistical fields. Alastair was acknowledged, in particular, as a world leader in survey sampling theory and the development of methods to efficiently obtain and analyse data from medical studies. His methods are applied in a wide range of areas, notably in public health. Beyond research, he contributed prolifically to the statistical profession in academia, government, and society.

Alastair was a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, the American Statistical Association, the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, the Royal Statistical Society, and an honorary life member of the New Zealand Statistical Association. In November last year, Alastair was awarded the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Jones Medal, which recognised his lifetime contribution to the mathematical sciences.

Alastair gained his first degrees at the University of Auckland: BSc in Mathematics in 1961 and MSc in Mathematics in 1962. After a period at the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, he pursued a PhD in Statistics at the University of Chicago, graduating in 1965. He then worked at the London School of Economics from 1965-1972.

Alastair returned to New Zealand in 1972 to a post in what was then the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Auckland. Throughout his career, Alastair was regularly offered posts at prestigious universities overseas, but turned them down. However, he held visiting positions at Bell Labs, the universities of North Carolina, Wisconsin, and UC Berkeley in the US, and at the University of Southampton in the UK.

In 1994 Alastair became the head of the new Department of Statistics. The Department of Statistics is now the largest such school in Australasia.

In 2005, Alastair officially retired. A conference in Auckland that year in his honour attracted the largest concentration of first-rank international statisticians in New Zealand in one place at one time. Alastair kept an office in the department and continued writing and advising, coming into work almost every day.

Alastair Scott was an influential teacher and generous mentor to several generations of statisticians who valued his sage advice coupled with his trademark affability.

Graeme Sanders, a Te Awamutu trainer, boasts one of the best records of any trainer in New Zealand.

He first trained in partnership with his father, training great Bill Sanders, in 1970, with the duo winning the trainers' premiership five times that decade.

Since then a constant string of topliners have emerged from the stable, most notably in recent years the dual Auckland Cup winner Prize Lady and injury-plagued star Pasta Post.

Sanders said he was just 21 when he joined his father in partnership.

Sanders had a break from training and went farming for 10 years before returning to racing, and in recent years he has taken into partnership firstly his daughter Debbie Sweeney and then, when she had children, his son Mark. He is now back in training partnership with Debbie.

He said among his highlights were winning the Auckland Cup for a second year with Prize Lady and winning the Wellington Derby with Love Lace Watkins in 1980, a galloper he part-owner himself.

Among other highlights are Mr Hickeys' two Great Northern Hurdle wins, Australian success on several trips there including through the likes of Mr Hickey, Beowulf, Rural Prince and Anne Carina, and the exploits of former star two-year-old Ballroom Babe, a winner of both the Gr I Sires' Produce Stakes races and a Gr I Captain Cook Stakes as an older horse, Fanatic NZ Oaks.

He also fondly remembers preparing Seachange for two races in the final preparation of her career in England.

Sanders, who brought up 1000 training wins in January 2006 continues to be actively involved in the racing industry as he has also experienced the role of an administrator in New Zealand racing. He spent four years on the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and is also a long-time committee member of the Waipa Racing Club. He currently has over 1200 winners to date, over 45 Group and listed wins and 20 Group 1 wins.

Dr Aitken has extensive experience in public sector structural analysis, governance, education, health, local government and resource management (qualified RMA), risk analysis and evaluation.

From 1991-2000 she was the Chief Review Officer for the Education Review Office, a significant role in shaping the focus for teaching and learning in the education sector in New Zealand.

She has also held several influential governance positions including being a Wellington Regional Councillor from 2001-present, Deputy Chair of Community and Public Health committee for the Capital and Coast District Health Board from 2001 – Present as well as being member of Disability Services Advisory Community.

Dr. Aitken was a secondary school teacher by trade. She attained a BA, MMP, Ph D in Public Administration and Political Science from Victoria University in 1981.

Dr. Aitken continues to be an influential figure in a wide range of governance roles.

Queen's Birthday Honours 2019

Citations for Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit

To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

AITKEN, Dr Judith Estranna, QSO
For services to local government, the community and education

Dr Judith Aitken was a Councillor for the Greater Wellington Regional Council from 2001 until 2016.

Dr Aitken was also a member of the Council’s Te Upoko Taiao, Environmental Wellbeing and Social and Cultural Wellbeing Committees. She was a member of the Capital and Coast District Health Board from 2001 to 2016 and held the positions of Deputy Chair and Chair. She oversaw the governance of the 2016 Pacific action plan, which outlined initiatives and services the CCDHB would focus on to improve Pacific peoples’ health throughout Wellington, Porirua, and Kapiti. She has been a member of the Carter National Observatory Board since 2004, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Board, and the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand Board. She is a Trustee of the Citizenship Trust, which works towards the development of a Citizenship Education Centre to educate young New Zealanders in the nation’s democratic system. She continued in her roles as Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, then as Chief Review Officer of the Education Review Office until 2001. She served on the New Zealand Teachers’ Council Review. Dr Aitken is currently collating four oral histories, one of which is ‘Women in a disabling world’, focusing on six disabled women succeeding in their chosen fields, and one on the history of women in the Public Service typing pools since 1945.

Honours

Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for Public Services, New Year 1997

Jim is currently serving in his second term of Mayor of Waipa, the Home of Champions. Jim has had a 25 year management career in local government and has been involved in numerous successful projects throughout the Waipa region.

From 2002-2009 he was the Chief Executive Officer at Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. The Trust was formed in 2002 with a vision to remove, forever, introduced mammalian pests and predators from Maungatautari, and to restore to the forest a healthy diversity of indigenous plants and animals. He worked to establish an organisation that was capable of achieving a vision that had never been achieved anywhere else in the world and at a scale that many felt was an impossible objective. In seven years he was directly responsible for raising $17.5m required for the construction of 47km of pest-proof fence around 3,400ha of indigenous forest in difficult terrain, made significant progress with the eradication of all pests within the fence and commenced an ambitious reintroduction programme.

Jim served as the Chairman of the Te Awamutu College Board of Trustees for 12 years, from 2000-2012 and remains passionate about community, families and education.

Prior to becoming Mayor, he had also held a number of managerial and directorship positions.

Paul Keall is currently a Professor at the University of Sydney and Director of the Radiation Physics Laboratory. His work is broadly supported by the NHMRC Australia Fellowship Innovations in Medical Physics to Improve Human Health with additional funding supporting individual projects. The program has international funded collaborations with Stanford University and Virginia Commonwealth University, and also partners with several institutions in Asia, Europe and the US on image guided radiation therapy research projects. Previously Dr. Keall was an Associate Professor and Director of the Radiation Physics Division of the Radiation Oncology Department at Stanford University. Dr. Keall earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Adelaide in Australia and his B.S. degree at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

Dr. Keall's main scientific interests involve image guided radiation therapy and accounting for anatomic and physiologic changes in healthy and pathologic tissue throughout a radiation treatment course. Additional areas of investigation include ventilation imaging, audiovisual biofeedback, compact plasma proton accelerators and MRI and PET-guided linear accelerators. These research activities have resulted in over 200 scientific articles and several awards and honors. He has developed new methods for medical imaging and image guided radiation therapy. Several of these innovations have been translated to clinical practice for improved health care. He is an editorial board member for several journals in the radiation oncology field and participates in professional activities and committees of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Dean attended Te Awamutu College from 1989 – 1992. He started racing Mini Sprints a Kihikihi when he was still at school at age 16. Dean has run 2 successful racing campaigns in the USA.

His major successes include being 1NZ, 2NZ and 3NZ winning the National Series at Western Springs and also being Team Captain for the New Zealand International Sprintcar Team.

Dean has also been voted NZ Sprintcar driver of the year 3 times.

Notable results include:

• 3rd North Island Champs –2001/2002

• 1st Place Bay Park Season Championship – 2001/2002

• Most Feature Wins – 2001/2002

• 1st Gisborne Invitation

• BestPrepared Car and Crew (3 years running)

• 1st South Pacific Champs - 2005/2006

• 1st South Pacific Champs -2006/2007

• 1st NZ Grand Prix 2006/2007

• 3rd Springs National Series -2006/2007

• 1st Gisborne Invitational 2006/2007

• 2nd International Sprint Car -Series 2007/2008

• 2nd NZ Grand Prix 2007/2008

• 2nd Springs National Series -2007/2008

• 1st International Sprint Car Invitation Ruapuna

• 2nd Sprintcar Gold Cup Ruapuna 2007/2008

• 1st Gold cup Baypark 2007/2008

• New Zealand Champion 2008/2009

• 3rd North Island Championship 2008/2009

• 1st Wellington Sprintcar Invitational 2008/2009

• 1st Waikato Championship 2008/2009

• National Sprintcar Driver of the year 2009

• Best Presented Car and Crew – Auckland Sprintcar Club 2009

• Best printed promotional Item – Dean Brindle Racing Poster (featuring sponsors)

• 2nd North Island Championship 2009/2010

• 1st Sprintcar Stampede 2009/2010

• 3rd Western Springs National Series 2009/2010

• 3rd International Sprintcar Series 2009/2010

• 1st Waikato Championship 2009/2010

• 1st NZ Grand Prix 2010/2011

• 1st Kiwi Home NZ Champs 2010/2011

• 1st Waikato Championship 2010/2011

• 2nd International Sprintcar Series 2011/2012

• 2nd Western Springs National Series 2011/2012

• 2nd NZ Grand Prix 2012/2013

• 2nd NZ Championship 2012/2013

• 1st Baypark Sprintcar Championship 2012/2013

• 1st Bay of Plenty Sprintcar Championship 2012/2013

• Sprintcar Driver of the year 2012/2013 – Auckland Sprintcar Club Awards

• Sprintcar Driver of the year 2012/2013 – NZ Speedway Awards

• Sprintcar Driver of the year 2013/2014 – NZ Speedway Awards

• 2nd North Island Championship 2013/2014

• Team Captain – Team New Zealand International Series vs AUS and USA 2014/2015

• 2nd International Series 2014/2015

• 1st Andrew Edwards Memorial Baypark 2014/2015

• 1st Western Springs National Series 2014/2015

• 3rd International Series 2015/2016

• 3rd Western Springs National Series 2015/2016

• 2nd NZ Championship 2015/2016

• 2nd Inaugural Champion of Champion Series

• 2nd Winged Thunder Outlaw Meeting

Ben Bayly was born and raised on a dairy farm in the Waikato, attending Te Awamutu College, where he was inspired to pursue his passion for cooking. As a young chef, he was awarded Commis Chef of the Year 1999, National Youth Skills 2000, and received the Bill Gallagher Scholarship at Johnson and Wales University of Culinary Arts in Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Ben then spent the next eight years working in a number of famed restaurants around the world, including the likes of Fenix in Melbourne, Le Crique in Las Vegas, The Square & the Ledbury in the U.K, and Restaurant Jean-Paul Jeunet and Atelier de Joel Robuchon in France.

In 2009 Ben returned home to New Zealand and is the executive chef of the 3 Hat restaurant, The Grove. In 2013 he opened the Italian restaurant Baduzzi on Auckland’s North Wharf, immediately gaining 2 Hats in the Cuisine Good Food Guide.

Other awards include Metro Supreme Restaurant of the Year Award 2010 & 2011, Best Cuisine Metropolitan Restaurant 2012, Best Speciality Restaurant 2014 & Cuisine Good Food Guide Chef of the Year 2014.

He became a household celebrity as a judge on MKR in 2014/15.

One of New Zealand’s top horse trainers, in partnership with Murray Baker he has either won, or been in the top three trainers in New Zealand for four of the last five years. With an average strike rate of five or less he has built a reputation as one of the best trainers around, currently training over 200 horses, with winning stakes of well over $10million.

As the 2016/17 season draws to a close, the Baker- Forsman training partnership have again passed the 100 wins mark and won an amazing 19 Group or Listed races. Another training premiership title is on the way.

Notable victories include the New Zealand Derby winner Mongolian Khan, who added the Australian Derby in Sydney.

Forsman is also a former first class cricketer.

Nathan White, a former Waikato and Chiefs prop, played 13 tests for Ireland from 2015-16. He moved to Leinster from Waikato and the Chiefs in 2011, and quickly shifted to Connacht where he became qualified to play for Ireland.

The former Waikato captain joined Connacht in the summer of 2012, having spent a season at Leinster under Joe Schmidt. He played in 58 games over four seasons with Connacht.

The dynamic front rower, renowned for his scrummaging and leadership skills, made his international debut in 2014 at 33 years of age. He was introduced off the bench against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium as part of the GUINNESS Summer Series that took place ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Nathan White went on to feature in all five of Ireland World Cup games in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

In the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours list Brian was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to wrestling. Stannett has been involved in the sport for more than 60 years and features in the Te Awamutu College Hall of Fame.