Awarded OBE in 1981.

Sir Russell Matthews OBE (19 July 1896 – 25 November 1987) was a New Zealand civil engineer, roading contractor, businessman, horticulturist and philanthropist. He was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on 19 July 1896. Together with his wife Mary, Matthews purchased a property on Mangorei Road, New Plymouth in 1931 and began developing a substantial garden during the Great Depression. The garden, which was named Tūpare, is owned by the Taranaki Regional Council and has been awarded a six star rating by the New Zealand Garden Council, one of only 13 in New Zealand.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1971 New Year Honours, for services to the community, and a Knight Bachelor in the 1982 New Year Honours, for services to horticulture and the community.

In 2018, Matthews was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

Awarded Knight Commander (KBE) in 1978.

Sir Harry Heaton Barker KBE (18 July 1898 – 18 May 1994) was a New Zealand newspaper journalist and editor, and local politician. He was mayor of Gisborne for 27 years.

Knighted in 1959. Order of Merit in 1976.

Sir Ronald Syme was a New Zealand-born historian and classicist. He was regarded as the greatest historian of ancient Rome since Theodor Mommsen and the most brilliant exponent of the history of the Roman Empire since Edward Gibbon. His great work was The Roman Revolution (1939), a masterly and controversial analysis of Roman political life in the period following the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Knighted in 1973.

Sir Geoffrey Newland Roberts CBE AFC (8 December 1906 – 27 August 1995) was a New Zealand military aviator and leader, and airline manager. He was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand in 1906.

Roberts was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1941 King's Birthday Honours. In 1946 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his service in operations against the Japanese. He was appointed a Knight Bachelor, for services to aviation, in the 1973 New Year Honours.

In 2001, Roberts was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

Awarded MBE in 1978 and KC in 1997.

Sir Terence Power McLean KNZM MBE (15 July 1913 – 11 July 2004), often known simply by his initials as T. P. McLean, was a New Zealand sports journalist and author specialising in rugby union.

Awarded KB in 1995.

Sir Thomas Neil Morris Waters (10 April 1931 – 7 June 2018) was a New Zealand inorganic chemist and academic administrator who served as vice-chancellor of Massey University from 1983 to 1995. He is noted for establishing the university's Albany campus near Auckland in 1993.

KBE in 1985. CB.

Air Marshal Sir David Ewan Jamieson, KBE, CB (19 April 1930 – 21 March 2013) was a senior commander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He was Chief of the Air Staff from 1979 to 1983, and Chief of the Defence Staff from 1983 to 1986.

Awarded KBE in 1989.

Sir Jim Graham served as the Chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board from 1981 to 1989, making significant contributions to the country's dairy industry during his tenure. Under his leadership, the New Zealand Dairy Board played a pivotal role in promoting and expanding New Zealand's dairy exports globally.

During the 1980s, the dairy industry in New Zealand faced various challenges, including changes in international trade regulations and evolving consumer preferences. Jim Graham's leadership helped navigate these challenges, ensuring the continued growth and success of the New Zealand dairy sector. His strategic vision and commitment to excellence were instrumental in fostering relationships with international markets and strengthening the reputation of New Zealand dairy products worldwide.

Jim Graham's tenure as Chairman marked a period of growth and innovation for the New Zealand Dairy Board. His efforts contributed to the industry's adaptability and resilience in a rapidly changing global market. Today, the New Zealand dairy sector remains a significant driver of the country's economy, thanks in part to the leadership and contributions of individuals like Sir Jim Graham during his time as Chairman of the Dairy Board.

C.G.M.G., Q.C.

Opened the school's Centennial Celebrations in the hall Thursday, 8th April, 1982.

Sir David Stuart Beattie, GCMG, GCVO, QSO, KStJ, QC (29 February 1924 – 4 February 2001) was an Australian-born New Zealand judge who served as the 14th governor-general of New Zealand, from 1980 to 1985. During the 1984 constitutional crisis, Beattie was nearly forced to dismiss the sitting prime minister, Robert Muldoon.