St Peter's School Alumni Incorporated, Cambridge

03/09/2026

What happens when you combine a passion for science, agriculture and emerging technology? For Josh Byford-Pothan (St. Peter’s 2014–2018), it’s led to an exciting career at the intersection of biosecurity, AI and agriculture.

After St. Peter’s, Josh studied Genetics at the University of Otago before completing a Master’s in Science, with a focus on marketing and communicating complex ideas. His qualifications helped him secure his first role with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

But Josh’s AI journey developed largely outside of work. Around four years ago, he realised that AI was going to change the world so he began teaching himself about AI and taking on freelance automation projects in his own time. That experience opened the door to an opportunity within biosecurity as a Senior Adviser focused on AI implementation and capability uplift.

His other passion? Agriculture. Josh fondly remembers Agricultural Studies at St. Peter’s and its hands-on approach. Today, he’s bringing his interests in technology and agriculture together, using AI to help his dad on the family dairy farm and sharing practical tools and ideas with other farmers through his growing YouTube channel.

His advice to current students interested in agriculture, science or technology? Get hands-on and use AI to solve real problems. Josh believes the rapid development of AI creates an exciting opportunity for young people to experiment, learn and build practical skills in a field where nobody has all the answers yet.

Moving forward, Josh is equally excited about where his AI and dairy farming work might lead. He has already had opportunities to speak at workshops, and would love to continue putting practical tools directly into farmers’ hands.

29/07/2026

This morning, we were delighted to welcome back Tumanako Silveira (St. Peter's 2009–2013) to speak with our Year 9 boys, along with a selection of other students, as part of a speaker series. Tumanako shared his inspiring journey from St. Peter's to becoming a criminal defence lawyer in Rotorua.

Tumanako reflected on arriving at St. Peter's in Year 9 after attending total immersion Māori schooling, now facing a challenge of learning to read and write in English. He spoke with deep gratitude for the teachers who believed in him and supported his journey, including Mr Speedy, Mr Baird, Mr Powell and Mr Ryan, acknowledging the significant role they played in shaping the person he is today. Growing up in the small town of Putāruru, Tumanako saw St. Peter's as a place of opportunity. He embraced every aspect of school life, immersing himself in rugby, rowing, cricket, kapa haka, the school production and life in Oliphant House, before going on to serve as Head Prefect in Year 13.

Now six years into his legal career, Tumanako shared the values that continue to guide him: the principal of manaakitanga, integrity, honesty, kindness and choosing every day to be a good person. He reminded students that talent may open the first door, but it is character, hard work and the choices we make that determine where the journey leads.

His message resonated deeply: it's normal to feel uncomfortable when you're growing, worry often means you care, and the greatest part of any school isn't the buildings and everything around you, it's the people.

It is always a privilege to welcome our alumni back to St. Peter's to share their experiences and inspire the next generation. If you would be interested in being part of our Year 9 Speaker Series, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Mr Duncan Baird at [email protected].

27/07/2026

Huge congratulations to Milana Tapper (St. Peter’s 2019-2023), who has just won a bronze medal in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay at the Commonwealth Games, alongside Erika Fairweather, Caitlin Deans and Eve Thomas. Their medal is New Zealand’s first in a Commonwealth Games relay since Delhi in 2010.

All smiles for the relay team as they collected their bronze medals 🤩

01/07/2026

We're always proud to hear what our alumni are achieving, and it's been fantastic to reconnect with Ben Stinson (St. Peter's 2002 - 2006) who, alongside his wife Robyn, has built Black Shepherd Apiaries into an award-winning family business based in Horahora, Cambridge.

What began as a small venture has grown into a thriving operation managing around 1,200 hives working across both pollination and honey production. Remaining hands-on every step of the way—from caring for the bees to harvesting, extracting and packing their honey—the family has built a reputation for producing premium New Zealand honey with quality, integrity and family values at its heart.

Their dedication has been recognised with multiple Gold Medals at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards and the Artisan Awards, but for them, the greatest achievement is building a business producing premium New Zealand honey while staying true to who they are.

Reflecting on the journey, Ben credits St. Peter's with helping to instil the strong work ethic and sense of community that have been integral to their success.

29/06/2026

Impressive results from Rachael Archer (St. Peter's 2015-2018), winning both days in her first race back since becoming a mum.

Talk about a comeback 🇳🇿

Rachael Archer took the double at Rnd7 & Rnd8 of the Aussie Enduro champs, winning both days in her first race back since baby Archie was born.

Saturday was a two hour cross country. She grabbed the holeshot and led early, overshot a corner where the tape was down, then went down passing someone and snapped her front brake lever. Pulled into the pits at the end of lap one and lost a couple minutes swapping the lever and grabbing gas. Charged the last two laps and got back to the front to take it.
Day two was sprints on a track that got rough fast. She won the majority of the tests, including a few dirt samples in the mud hole trying to push too hard, and still walked away with the day two win.

First race back since becoming a mum and she made it look easy. Massive 👊

26/06/2026

This week has been a celebration of the traditions that make St. Peter's so special.

From the musical excellence of the Bevan Cup on Monday, to the energy and friendly rivalry of House Music across Tuesday and Thursday, and today's much-loved Flag Day, our students have embraced the events that have been part of St. Peter's life for generations.

Whether you stood on stage performing in the Bevan Cup, sang your heart out for your House, or ended Flag Day covered in mud after the traditional flag game, we're sure these events bring back plenty of memories.

22/06/2026

It was exciting to see four St. Peter’s alumni take the field on Saturday night in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Final.

Representing the Hurricanes was Cam Roigard (St. Peter’s 2012–2018), while the Chiefs featured Ollie Norris (St. Peter’s 2013–2017), Samipeni Finau (St. Peter’s 2017) and Simon Parker (St. Peter’s 2018). A special milestone for Simon, who celebrated his 50th Super Rugby appearance in the final.

Congratulations also to Cam Roigard and Simon Parker on their selection in the first All Blacks squad of 2026 – a fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition of their outstanding performances throughout the season.

The next chapter begins ☝🏼⏳

Your first All Blacks Squad of 2026 is here.

15/06/2026

There’s always something special about welcoming alumni back to St. Peter’s.

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Ayesha Smyth (née Salier, St. Peter's 2017-2018) and her husband Darcy during a visit from their home on the Gold Coast. Returning to New Zealand for the first time since leaving school, Ayesha enjoyed revisiting familiar places around campus, including the School House space that was once her dorm room, the Dining Hall and the Chapel.

Ayesha’s journey to St. Peter’s as a boarder was perhaps not a common one, she took the initiative. Living with her family in Sydney, she knew she had to make a change to her education and on searching for options came across St. Peter’s with picturesque grounds and opportunities a plenty. As a boarder under House Directors Owen and Liza Steverson, Ayesha embraced every opportunity available to her, growing in confidence and developing a love of learning, with Theatresports among her fondest memories. Today, she and Darcy lead a campus ministry on the Gold Coast.

We also welcomed siblings Jason (St. Peter's 2006-2010) and Kristin Boyce (St. Peter's 2005-2009) back to St. Peter’s. Alongside reconnecting with staff, they shared their experiences and insights with our Business Management students.

Jason, now a Strategic Marketing Manager, encouraged students to be not only thinkers but doers, reminding them that while theory matters, understanding people and embracing different perspectives is equally important. Kristin, who works in thoroughbred welfare with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, joined him in inspiring the next generation.

Thank you, Ayesha, Jason and Kristin for returning to St. Peter’s and sharing your stories. It’s always a privilege to see our alumni making a difference in their communities and professions.

08/06/2026

We're excited to see several St. Peter's Alumni named in New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team announcements.

Congratulations to Milana Tapper (St. Peter's 2019–2023), who was announced today as part of the swimming team, and to Ellesse Andrews (St. Peter's 2016–2017) and Ally Wollaston (St. Peter's 2015–2018), who have been selected for the cycling team.

We look forward to following their journeys and cheering them on as they prepare to represent New Zealand.

05/06/2026

Heading to Fieldays? So are we!

The St. Peter’s team will be at Fieldays next week and we’d love to catch up with our alumni community. Whether you’re attending for business, farming, innovation, or simply enjoying the event, make sure you stop by and say hello. You’ll find us at Stand PC20 inside the Pavilion.