Old boys inducted into Hastings Boys' Wall of Fame

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry (left) with Hastings Boys' High School principal Rob Sturch at the school's annual Old Boys' Dinner. Photo / Warren Buckland

A Companion of the Order of New Zealand (CNZM) and a professor, John Broughton believes his time at Hastings Boys' High School in the 1960s was "totally unremarkable" - he won no prizes, wasn't a prefect, nor was he on any of the top sports teams.

But it is the success he has made of his life after attending school which has seen him, along with two others, inducted into the Old Boys' Wall of Fame.

Sir John Broughton.

The Dunedin playwright, Maori health authority and Queen's Birthday Honour recipient for services to the medical field, theatre and the community has also had a long and successful career, devoting much of his life to Maori Oral Health.

Barry Rosenberg (left) Hastings Boys' High School Old Boys' Association chairman; Rob Sturch, principal and Professor John Broughton at the annual Old Boys' Dinner. Photo / Warren Buckland

Now in his 70s, he is Associate Dean at the Faculty of Dentistry and Director of the Ngai Tahu Māori Research Trust. And although he left the region more than four decades ago, his roots remain firmly with Ngati Kahungunu in Hawke's Bay where he grew up.

While he has "fond memories" of his time at his alma mater, the acknowledgement is something that "came out of the blue".

Broughton, Sir Neil Anderson (deceased) and businessman Brian Cunningham (deceased) join inaugural inductees and fellow past pupils, mountaineer George Lowe (deceased), businessman Sir Selwyn Cushing, former All Black Bruce Robertson and businessman Craig Hickson.

Formed in June last year, the Old Boys' Association aims to acknowledge and celebrate the school and the special achievements of its old boys, assistant principal and committee member Quentin Crawford said.

"It is important for current students to know and understand who have gone before them and the special place those men hold at this school," he said.

"We are all stitches in the fabric of Hastings Boys' and we all have and will contribute to the legacy of the school."

Crawford said their old boys have done amazing things from some very humble beginnings. They are recognised as being "men who are strong of identity and character who are willing to work hard and make a difference in all aspects of life and in their chosen fields".

Nearly 200 guests, including ex-students, staff and friends of the school celebrated the achievements of the three inductees at the second Old Boys' Dinner on Friday evening. Sir Graham Henry KNZM spoke at the event.

Sir Neil's son Piers and his wife attended the event on his behalf, as did Cunningham's nephew, Fraser.

He remembers his uncle as not just that, but rather a "mentor" for their family.

"He was an extremely smart man, and he achieved a lot in his life," Fraser said.

Businessman, Brian Cunningham. Photo / Supplied

"We are very proud that the school has acknowledged all of the hard work he has done over the years."

He is one of a long line of Cunningham men who have attended the Hawke's Bay high school.

Cunningham attended the school from 1956-60 and died in 2011, but his mark on the school is still felt to this day. Since 2001, BK Cunningham Scholarships have been awarded to Year 9 students who show potential and these are recognised as the top scholarship within the school. As well as this, his significant endowment allowed for the building of the BK Cunningham Cricket Pavilion.

Similarly, Sir Neil Anderson was widely known for his service to the Armed Forces, most notably as being Chief of the New Zealand Armed Forces as well as Principal Military Adviser to the New Zealand Government before his death in 2010.

Sir Neil Anderson. Photo / Supplied

Broughton's message to those walking the same corridors as he once did is to "set your goals and go for them" but to also have "more than one string in your bow".