Nelson College

A night to remember! Thank you to all the staff and students who made the 2026 Senior Ball such a fantastic event. You all looked amazing, your behaviour was exemplary, and the dancing was next level! Attendees will be receiving the full photo album in due course, but in the meantime, here's a few taster pics of the night courtesy of who, as always, did a brilliant job!

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our much-loved colleague and friend, Klaudia Severn.

Klaudia was a valued member of the Nelson College whānau who made a significant contribution through her teaching of Business, Accounting and Commerce, as well as her involvement with the Young Enterprise Scheme.

More than this, Klaudia cared deeply about the young people she taught. Her warmth, humour, wonderful laugh and smile could brighten any room, and she will be remembered with enormous affection by her colleagues, students, former students and families.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Klaudia’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

Klaudia made a difference to the lives of many Nelson College boys. She will be deeply missed and very fondly remembered.

Congratulations Ludo, we'll be following your progress on the rink and cheering for you all the way to Paraguay!

Gotham City has Batman, Metropolis has Superman. Gisborne has Sam the Trap Man! Perfectly named, because he’s a master trapper, and because he captured our Year 12 biology students’ attention at the start of School's Library Week today. Sam is a solid NZ bushman, a lover of and fighter for our whenua.

When he’s not being a Gisborne District Councillor, de-pesting the environment, Dadding or writing books, Sam loves sharing tales from the bush and inspiring the next generation of bushfolk.

Like
-the time he found a rat that was caught in a trap by its dangly bits (not the tail)
-the time he had to share a room with a man with a glass eye and was lulled to sleep every night by the sucking popping sound it made when he removed it
-the time when, on his first day as a bushman, the group leader ‘Keith with no teeth’ banned them from bringing packed lunches because, ‘the bush will provide’

It has provided.

Sam knows exactly where to source kai and admits that his motivation stems from his puku. A healthy ecosystem means there is plenty of food. If we get that right, there’ll be a little bit left over for us humans.

You could hear a pin drop during Sam’s session as he told us how to:
-Cure diarrhoea with koromiko tea

-Pick up a kiwi – by the legs apparently, as much a like a rugby player who’s been grabbed by the jersey and simply strips it off and runs for the try line topless, a Kiwi will just shed its feathers and run off into the night!

-Catch a short-tailed bat (STB) – with nylon, but watch out, one end gives you a nasty bite, the other end is covered in poo, because they poo upside down and…well…gravity! Luckily for the STB, the STB fly exists whose only job is to ‘clean’ (guess how) the often-upturned nether regions of the STB.

So next time you want to complain about your job, spare a thought for that guy!
More discussion ensued: What’s the best tasting eel? The best way to ‘dispatch’ a possum? What to do if you’re caught between a whio and his girlfriend?

Thank you Sam for an enthralling, engaging and enriching session.

Do yourself a favour and get your copy of Sam’s latest page turner – A Bushman’s Book of Yarns!

It’s a generations long story of rivalry, but also one of sportsmanship, competition and mana. Nelson College and Wellington College have been facing off for 150 years, and neither side is showing any signs of backing down! In this fascinating mini-documentary by Johnny Hendrikus, see behind the scenes of what’s come to be known as the longest rugby rivalry in New Zealand! We hope you enjoy it, we did!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxzwN7pRCcQ Johnny Hendrikus Nelson College Sport

150 Years, One Fierce Rivalry: Nelson College v Wellington College A celebration of the world’s longest-running secondary school rugby...

Wishing safe travels to Finn Dallas and Aedan Bruce who have been selected as two of seven Young Enterprise Student Ambassadors to attend the Business Hall of Fame Awards in Auckland tomorrow.

They will also have the honour of introducing Tom Sturgess and David Irving ONZM (and Old Boy) who are being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Tom Sturgess is perhaps one of Nelon’s most well-known and influential businessmen.

Over many decades, he’s built and led many successful businesses in diverse fields such as agribusiness and venture capitalism. David began his career in accounting before joining Wattie’s and rising to the role of Chief Executive of Wattie’s Australia.
He founded The Icehouse, an organisation committed to the advancement of New Zealand entrepreneurs and business leaders. Two stories of New Zealand success and two men who have given back to their communities and continue to inspire those who would follow in their footsteps.

We’re thrilled for the boys as we know what an incredible opportunity this is for them. We’re also thrilled for David and Tom on their inductions and because, with our boys introducing them, they’re in great hands!
Nelson College Old Boys Young Enterprise Trust