Wesley College is a secondary school in Paerata, at the northern edge of

Pukekohe Pukekohe is a town in the Auckland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located at the southern edge of the Auckland Region, it is in South Auckland, between the southern shore of the Manukau Harbour and the mouth of the Waikato River. ...

Auckland Region Auckland () is one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland Metropolitan Area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containin ...

, New Zealand. The school provides education from year 9 to 13. The school was founded by members of the

Methodist Church Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's ...

in 1844, making it one of the country's oldest schools. Initially located in Grafton and then the

Three Kings The biblical Magi from Middle Persian ''moɣ''(''mard'') from Old Persian ''magu-'' 'Zoroastrian clergyman' ( or ; singular: ), also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings, also the Three Magi were distinguished foreigners in the ...

area of

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about I ...

, it closed in 1868 before reopening in 1876 in Three Kings again. From the beginning there was an emphasis on educating Maori boys, and also played a prominent role in educating students from countries of the South Pacific. In 1924 the school was moved to its current location of Paerata, near

. In 1985 it was one of the first boys schools in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island coun ...

to admit girls at the senior level.

Prince Albert College

Wesley College was located in Upper Queen Street when it closed in 1868; the building and land was donated to the Methodist Church for education purposes. In 1895, a new school with Methodist links started in that building, known as Prince Albert College. The school closed on 31 December 1906 due to financial pressures. The building was later used by

Auckland Girls' Grammar School "Through trials to triumph" , colours = gold, navy blue , type = State single-sex girls' secondary school (Years 9–13) , established = 1878 , address = Howe Street, Newton, Auckland , coordinates = , principal = Ngaire Ashmore ...

Principals

The following have been principals of the school: * Rev. J H Simmonds 1895–1923 * R. C. Clark, MA (Melb), Dip Ed 1924–1944 * Rev. E. M. Marshall, BA, Dip Ed 1944–1964 * C. A. Neate, MA, Dip Tchg 1965–1967 * E. Te R. Tauroa, B AgricSc, Dip Ed, Dip Tchg 1968–1973 Believed to be the first Māori principal of a secondary school, later

Race Relations Conciliator The Human Rights Commission (Māori: ''Te Kāhui Tika Tangata'') is the national human rights institution (NHRI) for New Zealand. It operates as an independent Crown entity, and is independent from direction by the Cabinet. Legislation and func ...

. * J. B. McDougall, E.D., B Agric Sc, Dip Tchg 1974–1988 * G. V. Cowley, MSc (Hons), Dip Tchg, JP 1989–2002 * I. F. Faulkner, JP, MA (Hons), Dip Tchg 2003–presentReflections on the History of Wesley College
(accessed:10-06-2007)

Notable alumni

The arts

Temuera Morrison Temuera Derek Morrison (born 26 December 1960) is a New Zealand actor and Singer who first gained recognition for his role as Dr. Hone Ropata on the soap opera '' Shortland Street''. He gained critical acclaim for his starring role as Jake "Th ...

– Actor (Head Prefect, 1977) *

Ian Mune Ian Barry Mune (born 1941) is a New Zealand character actor, director, and screenwriter. His screen acting career spans four decades and more than 50 roles. His work as a film director includes hit comedy ''Came a Hot Friday'', an adaptation of c ...

– Actor and Film Director * Richard Taylor – Multiple Academy Award Winner (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) *

Arnold Manaaki Wilson Arnold Manaaki Wilson (11 December 1928 – 1 May 2012) was a New Zealand artist and educator of Māori ( Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa) descent. He is regarded as a pioneer of the modern Māori art movement. Early life and education Born in Ruatoki ...

– Artist and Sculptor, Father of Contemporary Maori Art, First Maori to gain a Diploma in Fine Arts

Public service

Koro Dewes Te Kapunga Matemoana "Koro" Dewes (7 April 1930 – 17 August 2010) was a kaumātua of the Ngāti Porou iwi of New Zealand. He was a pioneer of Māori education and an advocate for the Māori language. Dewes attended Horoera Native Primary School ...

– Ngāti Porou kaumatua and Māori language advocate *

Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō Siale ʻAtaongo Kaho, Lord Tuʻivakanō (born 15 January 1952) is a Tongan politician who served as the Prime Minister of Tonga from 2010 to 2014. Descent and naming Tuʻivakanō was born in Niutoua on Tongatapu as Siale ʻAtaongo Kaho. His p ...

– Prime Minister of Tonga (Voted in 2011 – Known as Siale Kaho while at College) * Jim Peters – Politician * Sir

Peter Kenilorea Sir Peter Kenilorea KBE (23 May 1943 – 24 February 2016) was a Solomon Islander politician, officially styled The Rt Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. He was the first Prime Minister of an indepe ...

– First Prime Minister and Current Speaker of Solomon Islands *

Roger McClay Roger Neville McClay, QSO (born 6 February 1945) is a former New Zealand politician. In 2010 he was convicted for defrauding two charities. Early life McClay was born in 1945. He attended secondary school at Wesley College, Auckland. Member o ...

– Politician and Children's Commissioner *

Todd McClay Todd Michael McClay (born 22 November 1968) is a New Zealand politician and former ambassador. He is the Member of Parliament for Rotorua. He was previously an ambassador for the Cook Islands and Niue to the European Union. Early life McClay ...

– Member of Parliament for Rotorua, former

Cook Islands ) , image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , capital = Avarua , coordinates = , largest_city = Avarua , official_languages = , lan ...

diplomat (Ambassador to European Union) * Rt Hon.

Baron Fielakepa Sosaia Tupou Aleamotuʻa (23 November 1961 — 10 February 2013),
, Tonga Broadcasting Commission, 10 February 2013 ...

- Chief of the Defense Staff, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Kingdom of Tonga *

Rob Storey William Robson Storey (16 July 1936 – 2 August 2019), generally known as Rob Storey, was a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1996, representing the National Party. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1984 election as ...

– Politician *

Malietoa Tanumafili II Malietoa Tanumafili II (4 January 1913 – 11 May 2007), addressed Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II, was the Malietoa, the title of one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, and the head of state, or '' O le Ao o le Malo'', a position that he held f ...

– Former Head of State of

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands ( Manono and Apolima); ...

* George Tupou II – King of Tonga *

Baron Vaea Siaosi ʻAlipate Halakilangi Tau’alupeoko Vaea Tupou (15 May 1921 – 7 June 2009), more commonly known as Baron Vaea, was a Tongan politician who served as Prime Minister of Tonga. Vaea was a nephew of Queen Sālote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 ...

– former

Prime Minister of Tonga The prime minister of Tonga (historically referred to as the premier) is the country's head of government. Tonga is a monarchy with the king, currently Tupou VI, former prime minister, as head of state. The current prime minister is Siaosi S ...

(Vaea attended between 1938 and 1941)

Science

Walter Buller Sir Walter Lawry Buller (9 October 1838 – 19 July 1906) was a New Zealand lawyer and naturalist who was a dominant figure in New Zealand ornithology. His book, ''A History of the Birds of New Zealand'', first published in 1873, was publishe ...

– lawyer, naturalist and ornithologist

Sport

;Rugby Union *

Uini Atonio Uini Atonio (; born 26 March 1990) is a New Zealand-born professional rugby union footballer of Samoan heritage who represents France internationally. His usual position is tighthead prop. He currently plays for French club La Rochelle. BBC nam ...

- Counties Manukau, La Rochelle, France *

Stephen Donald Stephen Rex Donald (born 3 December 1983) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for the NEC Green Rockets in the Japanese Top League. A first five-eighth or centre, he has won 24 international caps for New Zealand. Nicknamed 'B ...

– New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Counties, Waikato, Chiefs, Bath, New Zealand All Black * Rhys Duggan – New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s Waikato, Chiefs, New Zealand All Black * Epalahame Faiva - Wakato, New Zealand u20s *

Malakai Fekitoa Malakai Fonokalafi Fekitoa (born 10 May 1992) is a Tongan rugby union player who plays as a centre. He currently plays for Irish club Munster. He previously played for the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition, in the ITM Cup, and for ...

– Auckland, Highlanders, New Zealand All Black *

Frank Halai Frank Halai (born 6 March 1988) is a Tongan rugby union player who plays as a winger for the Austin Gilgronis in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Pau in the Top 14. and for Counties Manukau in the ITM Cup, and before that ...

– Waikato, NZ Sevens, Counties Manukau, Blues, New Zealand All Black *

Sekope Kepu Sekope Kepu (born 5 February 1986) is an Australian professional rugby union player. He is a prop and currently plays for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He has previously played for Australian club New South Wales Waratahs, the French club Borde ...

– New Zealand U17's, New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Counties, NSW Waratahs, Australia – Wallabies *

Casey Laulala Casey Daniel Eti Laulala (born 3 May 1982) is a Samoan-born New Zealand former rugby union player. Career Born and raised in Samoa, Laulala started boarding at Wesley College when he was 15. Laulala made his test debut for New Zealand during ...

– New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Counties, Canterbury, Crusaders, Cardiff Blues, New Zealand All Black *

Nepo Laulala Nepo Eti Laulala (born 6 November 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays as a Tighthead Prop for Counties Manukau Steelers in the Mitre 10 Cup, the Blues in Super Rugby and for the national All Blacks, having made his interna ...

– Canterbury, Crusaders, New Zealand All Blacks *

Jonah Lomu Jonah Tali Lomu (12 May 1975 – 18 November 2015) was a New Zealand professional rugby union player. Lomu is considered to have been the first true global superstar of rugby, and consequently had a huge impact on the game. He is widely regarde ...

– New Zealand U16's, New Zealand U17's, New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Counties, Wellington, North Harbour, Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Cardiff Blues, NZ Sevens, New Zealand All Black * Tevita Mailau – New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Northland, Auckland, Blues, Tonga Ikale Tahi * Seilala Mapusua – New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Otago, Highlanders, London Irish, Kubota Spears, Manu

Charles Piutau Salesi Tu'ipulotu "Charles" Piutau (born 31 October 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays in the fullback (and occasionally wing) position for England club Bristol Bears in the Premiership, and formerly for New Zealand's national ...

– New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u20s, Auckland, NZ Sevens, Blues, New Zealand All Black *

Siale Piutau Siale Piutau (born 13 October 1985) is a New Zealand-born Tongan rugby union player who plays at centre. Although born and educated in New Zealand, he represented Tonga internationally from 2011 to 2019. He is the elder brother of New Zealand ...

– Counties, Highlanders, Tonga Ikale Tahi * Augustine Pulu – Counties, Chiefs, New Zealand All Black, NZ Sevens * David Raikuna – Counties, North Harbour, Blues, NZ Sevens *

Doug Rollerson Douglas Leslie Rollerson (14 May 1953 – 3 May 2017) was a New Zealand rugby union and rugby league player, and rugby union executive. Rugby union Primarily a fullback and first five-eighth, Rollerson represented Manawatu at a provincial lev ...

– Manawatu, New Zealand All Black *

Sitiveni Sivivatu Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu (born 19 April 1982 in Suva, Fiji) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer, playing on the position of a wing. He was largely successful in the 2005 Super 12 season playing for the Chiefs. He acquired a starting ...

– Counties, Waikato, Chiefs, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Pacific Islanders, New Zealand All Black * George Stowers – New Zealand Secondary Schools, NZ u21s, Counties, Chiefs, Ospreys, Pacific Islanders, Manu Samoa * Niva Ta'auso – Counties, Connacht, New Zealand Divisional XV, Junior All Blacks * Michael Tagicakibau – Taranaki, London Welsh, Saracens, Fiji *

Sailosi Tagicakibau Sailosi Tagicakibau (born 14 November 1982) is a rugby union footballer who has played at wing for London Irish and Wasps in the Aviva Premiership. He spent the majority of his career with English Premiership side London Irish, making in exce ...

– Chiefs, London Irish, Pacific Islanders, Manu

Jonathan Taumateine Jonathan Archie Taumateine (born 28 September 1996) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Super Rugby club Moana Pasifika. Born in New Zealand, he represents Samoa at international level after qualifying on ancest ...

- Counties Manukau, Manu Samoa u20s, New Zealand u20s, Chiefs * Ezra Taylor – Otago, Highlanders, Reds, Connacht, Manu Samoa * Hale T-Pole – New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand u19s, New Zealand u21s, Southland, Highlanders, Pacific Islanders, Tonga Ikale Tahi *

Viliame Veikoso Viliame Veikoso (born 4 April 1982 in Suva, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a hooker. Veikoso hails from Nabua village, tikina Koroalau from Cakaudrove Province. he is also related to Akapusi Qera of Gloucester. Veikoso ...

– Otago, Fiji ;Rugby League *

Glen Fisiiahi Glen Fisiiahi (born 2 December 1990) is a rugby league and rugby union footballer of Tongan and Niue descent. He previously played rugby league professionally for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League where he played as a an ...

–

New Zealand Warriors The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand that competes in the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership and is the League's only team from outside Australia. They were formed in 1995 as ...

player * Fetuli Talanoa –

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

Rugby League International/

South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are a professional Australian rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen pla ...

Tame Tupou Siokatame Gary Tupou also known as Tame Tupou and Gary Tupou (born 22 October 1982) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s. He played at representative level for New Zealand, usually as a , but also ...

– Kiwis/

Brisbane Broncos The Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club Ltd., commonly referred to as the Broncos, is an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Brisbane, Queensland. Founded in April 1987, the Broncos play in Australia's elite com ...

Bradford Bulls The Bradford Bulls are a professional rugby league club in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, playing in the Championship. They have won five Challenge Cups, six league championships and three World Club Challenges. The team jersey is predom ...

References

External links

Wesley College website

Old Friends NZ — Wesley College Schools, Auckland
{{Authority control Educational institutions established in 1844 Boarding schools in New Zealand Methodist schools in New Zealand Secondary schools in Auckland Christianity in Auckland