In 2025, Christ’s College celebrates 175 years as New Zealand’s leading independent school for boys. We are marking this remarkable milestone with a very special Celebratory Weekend from 14–16 February that revels in our community connections, honours our past, and looks to our exciting future.
We encourage you to join us at College for this magical weekend as we celebrate the significant honour of being a Christ’s College Old Boy. For all of us, it is a rare opportunity to engage and connect with generations of Old Boys, share our best memories, and acknowledge the achievements of our incredible school – 175 years in the making.
Our storied past and bright future are cause for celebration, all built on shared school experiences enriched with learning and opportunities. All members of our College community – past and present – are invited to our Cocktail Party and Black & White Dinner. Discover why our Celebratory Weekend is so important to each generation by viewing our new video below.
Tickets are selling fast, please book now to ensure your part in the celebrations.
Remember, too, that it will be a double celebration for these year groups and their reunions: 20 Years On (2005–2009), 30 Years On (1995–1999), 40 Years On (1985–1989), 50 Years On (1975–1979), 60 Years On (1965–1969), 70 Years On (1955–1959), 80 Years On (1945–1949).
Finally, our heartfelt thanks to Garth Wynne, our wonderful former Executive Principal, for his support of the CCOBA during his tenure. Garth has been instrumental in forging a far stronger link between College and the Old Boys. We will be forever grateful for all he’s done for us. It was my privilege to present Garth with a Senior Honours Tie earlier this year. I wish Garth and Annie all the very best for their future and look forward to continuing the relationship with the school under Joe Eccleton who will start next term as our new Executive Principal.
In the interim, we look forward to working with and supporting Gillian Simpson in her role as Acting Executive Principal.
Having led the school as Head Prefect, helped to steer College to a Maadi Cup win, and set up Tamai Sports to support children from the city’s east to get into sport, Old Boy Max Goodwin has embarked on the next stage of his journey – industrial engineering.
Mons Royal Founder and CEO Hamish Acland talks about the value of merino wool, the importance of retail stores and a new product launch coming to Kiwis early next year.
It was wonderful to see over 40 young Old Boys at our Dunedin YOBs last week. We love connecting with Young Old Boys, year after year.
Strong ties in Thailand
While in Thailand recently, International Student Manager Sarah Davidson co-hosted a Community Event in Bangkok with St Margaret's College. They welcomed more than 20 people from our school communities who now live or work in Bangkok, or were visiting the area during our visit. Christ's College has a long history of welcoming Thai students, and it was wonderful to connect with these fantastic Old Boys again, having already met many at our Community Event last October.
Wellington and Greytown
Our lower North Island community is in great heart. The biggest group yet turned out to our annual Community Visit in Wellington, followed by an intimate group the following night in Greytown.
Northern foray
We had a super week connecting with Old Boys in Gisborne, Taupō, Rotorua, Hamilton and Tauranga. A mixture of community visits and casual catch ups. It was wonderful to be there after so long.
London
It was fabulous to see some Old Boys at our recent event in London, hosted by Darrell Thatcher, our Deputy Principal – Planning & Co-curricular, and Dr Graeme Swanson, Director of our Centre for Teaching Excellence & Research. Darrell and Graeme were in London for the IBSC conference.
Auckland Long Lunch
Fifteen Old Boys met for lunch at Mark Hindmarsh's Heke Kitchen, Brewery and Distillery on Waiheke Island. Auckland CCOBA President Mike Greenslade says the goal was to add a Mid-Winter Event to the calendar and engage with a growing part of the Auckland market.
A fantastic lunch followed by a fascinating tour of the tour of the Distillery and the process for making first class Malt Whiskey in New Zealand.
John Hunt’s career in medicine took a different path than the one he first set out on.
Vale Tom Lowry (5866)
Tom Lowry, an immensely influential figure in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, passed away recently aged 88. He was the third generation to operate the famous Okawa Stud in Hawke’s Bay, a property first established by his grandfather and then successfully run by his father for many years.
Hugh Gunz (6755)
A gifted academic, Hugh Gunz will always be remembered for his hospitality, warmth, compassion, patience, sense of humour, and incredible story-time reading performances.
Many Old Boys from Christ’s College have been named in the national rugby team, including two recent selections.
On 24 June at 5.45pm, the 2024 All Blacks squad was announced – a team to beat England. Around the country, families, schools, and rugby clubs tuned in to hear if their son, Old Boy or player had been named.
Christ’s College Old Boy Damian McKenzie (14028) was named after eight consecutive years and Sam Darry (14680) was included in the squad. Sam has since earned his first cap, coming off the bench against Fiji in San Diego on 20 July. To date, 24 known Christ’s College Old Boys have played for the All Blacks.
It is interesting to find out about these young men and their path to pulling on the black jersey. The College archives provide some evidence and a glimpse into their developing sporting prowess being noticed and nurtured during their College years. The 1895 College Register states: “It is the duty of the Selection committee to pick out carefully all the most promising players, and keep them up to their work.”i
In 1884 – 140 years ago – the first team to represent New Zealand was formed for a tour to New South Wales. This tour proved very successful, with New Zealand unbeaten in eight matches.ii Three Christ’s College Old Boys, brothers William (362) and Edward Millton (467), and George Helmore (665) were named in the squad.iii / iv
Old Boy All Blacks representatives
The College Register, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, indicates a strong interest in, and uptake of the game. In 1902, for example, more than three-quarters of Upper School boys played rugby.v
The Christ's College Register 1902
Two members of the 1st XV, who later became All Blacks, Frank Fryer (1744) and Harold Murray (2094)vi are in the 1904 College photos.
The 1904 Register recorded, “...Of the individual players it is difficult to pick out any deserving of much more praise than others, but perhaps Fryer and ‘Toby’ Murray have done the lion’s share amongst the backs and the forwards, respectively”.
Christ's College Archives CCXV/1904/1
Fast forward to 2012, in the second of three years in the 1st XV, now current All Black Damian McKenzie was described by the Register as “one of the best five-eighths in the country”.vii
There have been many updates while this article was being written. As mentioned, Old Boy Sam Darry has now made his debut for the All Blacks. While at College, he was the 2018 Senior Sportsman of the Year and captain of the 1st XV in his final year.
The 2018 Register recorded: “He was composed under pressure and a true example to the team through the quality of his preparation and work rate. Best performing lock in the UC Championship.”viii
Captain Sam Darry leads the 1st XV 2018ixSam Darry joins in the All Blacks during a warm-upx
One would naturally speculate that a fair part of these players’ development and skills were honed at College. It is also interesting to note that some of the Old Boys who have gone on to play for New Zealand in rugby were not selected for the 1st XV. Some had played just a few games.
The Christ's College All Blacks
Information compiled from Christ's College Register's, the School List, and All Blacks official website.
Name
Christ's College 1st XV
All Blacks number
Games for New Zealand
All Blacks position
William Varnham Millton (362)
–
7
8
Forward
Edward Bowler Millton (467)
–
16
7
Forward
George Henry Noble Helmore (665)
1879–1880
5
7
Utility back
Eric Leslie Watkins (1674)
–
140
1
Hooker
Frank Cunningham Fryer (1744)
1902–1904
143
9
Wing three-quarter
Harold Vivian (Toby) Murray (2095)
1903–1904
180
22
Wing forward
John Ormond/Honi (Tiaki) Omana (2279)
1906–1909
284
1
Loose forward
Thomas (Toby) Reginald Sheen (3055)
1919–1922
325
8
First five-eighth
Anthony Ian Cottrell (3269)
1923–1925
362
22
Hooker and prop
Ian James Botting (4744) – Chaplain 1962–1974
1940 (2nd XV)
486
9
Wing
Hugh Cameron Burry (5283)
1948
607
11
Number 8
Edward John (Jack) Hazlett (6036)
1955
654
12
Prop
Alastair Garth Robinson (8407)
1974
844
4
Lock
Robert (Robbie) Maxwell Deans (8732)
1976–1977
841
19
Fly half, Fullback
Michael James Bowie (Jock) Hobbs
1975–1977
836
39
Flanker
Ian Bruce Deans (8883)
1978
891
23
Halfback
Jone Tabaiwalu Fakavalle (Tabai) Matson (10743)
1991
950
5
Centre
Thomas Simon (Simon) Maling (11010)
1991–1993
1007
13
Lock
Samuel (Sam) Harding (11730)
1996–1998
1016
1
Flanker
James Andrew Cheyne Ryan (12111)
1998–2000
1051
9
Lock
Joseph (Joe) Paul Tamatea Moody (12994)*
2006
1134
57
Prop
Damian Sinclair McKenzie (14028)*
2011–2013
1154
49 (to date)
Fullback, First five-eighth
Dallas McLeod (15055)
2016
1213
1
Centre
Sam Darry (14680)
2016–2018
1220
1 (to date)
Lock
*played for Māori All Blacks also
i Christ’s College Register, 1895 pg 32. iihttps://www.experienceallblacks.com/insider-information/introduction-to-rugby/ iii Teal, F.J, 2024, The Register, In Black & White, No. 237 iv Hamilton, D College! 1996, pg. 115 v Christ’s College Register, 1902 pg. 174 vi Christ’s College Register, 1904, pg 401 vii Christ’s College Register, 2012 pg. 176 viii Christ’s College Register, 2018 pg. 266 ix Christ’s College Register, 2018 pg. 266 x Gabrielsson, A. Forsyth Barr Stadium ahead of All Black clash against England, 06/07/2024, Private Collection
