Tira Ora

Aimee Fisher (2008-2012) is our most recent Olympian. She represented New Zealand at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she competed in the women’s K-4 500 metres event. After training together for just 18 months, the young crew achieved a fifth place in the medal race.

Nick Palmer (2014-2018) was an inspiration in his time at school for the saying ‘Do the mahi, get the treats’. He was the New Zealand Secondary

Schools Shotput Champion and held the number one rank in the world for under 18, representing New Zealand at the IAAF World U20 Champs in Finland. Currently conjointly studying a Bachelor of Sports Coaching at the University of Canterbury as well as training full time at the High Performance Sport NZ centre in Christchurch.

Claire Jarman (nee Sharpe) (1986-1990) is the proud owner of Mia Dolce, the upmarket beauty salon in the centre of Havelock North Village. Mia Dolce is not only a highly successful Hawke’s Bay business but is ranked the #2 Dermalogica Skin centre in New Zealand.

They also won the favorite hair and beauty category at the Havelock North Business Awards in 2018.

Hunter Durrant (2014-2017) has spent most of his time since leaving school being an apprentice jockey. He is most proud of the moment when he rode his first race day winner right here in Hastings on Royal Ruby over 1600m in a field of five during the rating 72 race at the Hawke’s Bay New Year’s Race Day 2019. He has more recently moved into a training and managing role in the thoroughbred industry, having just secured a job in New Zealand’s top racehorse stable, the 7th best stable in the world.

Annah Stretton (nee Annabel Carver) (1973 to 1976) is a New Zealand fashion designer, entrepreneur, writer, blogger, women’s advocate and philanthropist. Initially embarking on an accountancy degree, in April 1992 she set up her first fashion business on a farm in Morrinsville and in the first year turned over one million dollars. Now she is a regular blogger, an in-demand public speaker, an author of seven books, a leading public figure in New Zealand and an active animal rights advocate. In 2008, she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Fashion, Business and the Community. Further recognition came in 2009 with the New

Zealand Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year Award.

Jason Reeves (1990-1994) is currently the breakfast radio host for Coast and has had a long and successful career in radio. He began his radio career straight after leaving school, first working at Hot 93FM in Hawke’s Bay.

Anna Bordignon (nee Mills) (1987-1991) originally trained as a lawyer at Victoria University, but now classifies herself as a social entrepreneur.

Anna is one of the first to market alternative plastic free everyday products with an ethical outlook. Founding an eco-social enterprise company called Munch

Cupboard Limited in 2014, she now runs two brands: Munch Cupboard – ethical eco essentials - empowering families to change the world and helping parents raise eco warriors; and nil products - transforming your everyday world into an ethical world.

Meka Whaitiri (1978-1982) was born and raised in Manutuke, Gisborne, was Head Girl in 1982. During her years at Victoria University in Wellington, Meka worked at Whakatu freezing works, before graduating with a Master’s in Education. Her passion for Māori governance grew from her sound knowledge of how government and Parliament work. Meka was the Deputy Secretary in the Department of Labour, and Senior Advisor to the Minister of Māori Affairs, the late Hon Parekura Horomia. She has held pivotal roles in both Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Kahungunu iwi. Meka was re-elected to Ikaroa-Rāwhiti in 2020.

David Butcher (1963-1966) left school to attend Victoria University and while there he was President of the Victoria University Labour Club. He had a long political career, standing unsuccessfully for the seat of Hawke’s Bay three times, in the 1969, 1972 and 1975 elections, before successfully becoming an MP for the seat of Hastings in the 1978 election, until 1990. He served as a Cabinet minister, with posts including Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Postmaster-General and

Minister of Energy. In 1990, David was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for his service.

Stephanie (Steve) Chadwick (nee Frizzell) (1962-1967) left school to complete her nursing training in Wellington. She studied to become a registered general and maternity nurse at the Hutt Hospital and then completed Post Graduate study of Midwifery at St Helen’s in Wellington. Her career intertwined with community achievements including establishing the first family planning clinic in Rotorua, the first Women’s Refuge in Rotorua, and the Rotorua School for Young Parents. From this her community passion grew and she entered politics in the 1999 election standing as the Labour Party candidate for the Rotorua seat. Retaining her seat at the 2005 election. She held several positions including Minister of Conservation, Women’s Affairs, and Associate Health in the Labour Government of New Zealand. She retired from national politics in 2011, to be elected to the Rotorua District Council in 1996 and successfully ran for Mayor of Rotorua in the 2013 local body elections she effectively defended her mayoralty in both the 2016 and 2019 local body elections.

Jeriel Sajan (2012-2016) found her passion for business and youth in Year 12 by taking part in the Young Enterprise Scheme and went on to complete a Bachelor of Business Studies double majoring in Management and Market at EIT. An appointment as the National Youth Trustee for the Young Enterprise Trust and a trip to the Philippines with her Church to provide support and inspiration to the youth of Quirino, Isabela (in the Philippines) have fed her drive, love and fight for the underdog.

James Griffin (1975-1979) left school to study arts at Auckland University. Initially securing a production attachment job at TVNZ to train to be a director, he soon moved into script editing and his love of writing began. He is most famous for this co-creation of Outrageous Fortune, arguably New Zealand’s most successful TV drama. James has also written a host of high profile shows, including the final episode of Gloss, the Funny Business series, tourist resort drama Marlin Bay, satirical series Spin Doctors, the Jay Laga’aia crime show Street Legal, our favourite soap Shortland Street, and Outrageous Fortune’s prequel Westside. In 2015 he left this role to focus on award-winning series 800 Words.