AMANDA O'BRIEN

BRENDA YOUNG

"A beautiful day with whanau" were the words Betsy Young (Ngataki) used to describe the graduation of her daughter Brenda Raewyn Young as a Bachelor of Health Science. 

Brenda (Ngati Whatua, Ngati Korokoro, Te Rarawa, Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri) was born and raised in Kaitaia, but is now living on Auckland's North Shore with her partner Dick.  

She received her early education at Pompalier, Kaitaia Intermediate, Kaitaia College and Church College, going on to acquire a Certificate in Professional Cookery at Waikato Polytechnic before beginning her Health Science studies, which she juggled with raising her four children.

Photo/Article: Northland Age

BRIDGET DAWSON

Bridget was our Head Girl in 2006.  She left to attend AUT to study Business, 

graduating in 2009 where she had the honour of delivery the valedictory.

In 2013 we congratulate Bridget on being recognised as one of AUT's  Business School's 2012 Top Graduates with an award for Top Maori Graduate Master of Business.  

As of 2018, Bridget is overseas working for Barnardo's.

CHANTEL & PETER LISLE

Chantel added her name to the list of academic success stories for which Kaitaia College could share the credit when she graduated from the Auckland University of Technology as a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing).

In her final year at Kaitaia College, Chantel was awarded an AUT Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship in recognition of academic excellence and leadership skills.  She is now working as a registered nurse at CityMed Doctors, a general practice and accident and emergency medical centre, in Auckland City.

Her brother Peter, who was first to congratulate her, is also a former Kaitaia College student, who graduated from Auckland University last year as a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with first class honours.

In 2005, Peter was a member of the College Boys' 1st XV Rugby team.  This team won the honour of being joint Winners, with Kamo High School, in the U18 Northland-Wide Competition.

Photo/Article: Northland Age

COURTNEY BELLINGHAM

DAVID ERCEG

David received his early education at Kaitaia's Pompallier School, Kaitaia Intermediate and College, and has graduated from the University of Southern California as a PhD (biokinesiology).

The son of former school teacher and Principal, Ned and Dorinka Erceg, who are now living in Orewa, his dissertation examined the effects of whole body vibration on insulin sensitivity in overwieight Latino boys.

Photo/Article: Northland Age, Thursday, 25th August 2011

DANELLE SIMEON

JODI KITCHEN

Many doors have opened for Jodi Kitchen, daughter of Brian and Sandra Kitchen (Peria), with her graduation from the University of Waikato's Management School as a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in management communication and public relations.

Jodi, who received her early education at Pamapuria Primary School, Kaitaia Intermediate and college, is now considering possible careers in the fields of sport marketing, event planning and the media.

She worked as a volunteer in the social media team at last year's Rowing World Cup and will play the same role in this year's Rugby World Cup.

In the meantime, however, she is pursuing a post graduate diploma in marketing to widen her career options further.

Northland Age, Thursday, 12 May, 2011

KATHERINE HEDGES

Katherine Lester, (nee Hedges), graduated from Otago University, with a PhD in Microbiology.

Kat attended Kaitaia College from 1998-2002 and was in Buck 2, with Mrs Bird, and was also our Head Girl in 2002.  She is the daughter of Chris and Karen Hedges (teachers at Kaitaia College).

She completed an Honours Degree (First class) in Microbiology in 2006 and was granted a University Scholarship to complete her Doctorate.  Her research investigated the use of two new antimicrobials to inhibit dental caries.

Kat is currently working full-time as a teaching assistant at Otago University.

Photo/Article: Proud parents

LUKE WARD

There was a double celebration Nu'u and Mike Wards' Mangonui home when their son Luke and his fiancee Lisa Amanaki both graduated from Auckland University.

Both are working as house doctors at Whangarei Hospital, and are hoping for placements at Kaitaia next year.

Luke, who attended Pamapuria Primary, Kaitaia Intermediate and Kaitaia College, credits the education he received at those schools for preparing him for university.

"Everything you need is offered at our College, and the teachers are dedicated," he said. "It's up to the students to avail themselves of the opportunities to learn."

Photo/Article: Northland Age, 2 June 2011

___________________________

Luke was a guest speaker at the 2011 Senior Prize Giving.  He was Proxime Accessit to the Dux in 2004.

When he graduated from kaitaia College in 2004, he wanted to become a Doctor.  His goal when leaving Kaitaia College was to earn one of the twenty full scholarships that Auckland University awarded to Moari and Pacific entrants.  

In his first year at Auckland University, competing against 1800 of New Zealand's top students for a place in a class numbering 154, his goal was to be accepted into Medical School.  Of course, once in, he then faced five more demanding years of study and practice.  He achieved his goals and is now a fully-fledged Doctor based in Whangarei Hospital.

Luke's present goal is to be a friendly, approachable doctor that the Northland people of all ages and backgrounds can relate to. Along with that goal, he wants to help raise Northland health outcomes to be comparable to those in the rest of Aotearoa. 

Awards since Leaving Kaitaia College: 

2005 - 2010 : The University of Auckland Chancellor’s Award for Top Scholars 
​​​​​​​2009 - 2010 : Pacific Health-Workforce Scholarship 
​​​​​​​2005 - 2007 : Australian Scholarship Group Scholar

NOLAN RICHARDS

Nolan Richards graduated M.Sc. (first class honours) from the University of Auckland in 1952.  

When he worked at Reynolds Metals Research he built a machine to measure the anodic overvoltage for the electrolysis of alumina.

The laboratory in which he worked was located at Muscle Shoals, Alabama which is on the Tennessee River.

He was later Manager of the Manufacturing Technology Laboratory at the same company, a position which he held for twenty years.

(Also see Nolan Richards)

RHIANNON CAUGHEY

Rhiannon was a House Captain for Trigg in her final year - 2008.  She now has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology and Criminology, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) First Class in Criminology.

Rhiannon worked as a Probation Officer for two years before taking a role as a Policy Adviser with the Department of Corrections where she is now.

STEPHEN MURRAY

Stephen Murray, son of James and Lynette Murray, grandson of Pat and Clara Murray, Lionel and Colleen Henderson, all of Kaitaia, graduated from the Auckland University of Technology as a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation (majoring in exercise science).

The one-time Kaitaia Primary, Intermediate and college student has now embarked upon a post-graduate degree.

Photo/Article: Northland Age, Thursday, 9th August 2012

TWYLA MacDONALD

Former Kaitaia College student Twyla Jade MacDonald (Proximate Accessit 2007), has graduated fromAuckland University as a Bachelor of Science, although that is only the first stage of her tertiary plans.

Daughter of Rob and Karen MacDonald (Ahipara) and grand-daughter of Alison and the late
Dave Panckhurst (Cooper's Beach), she is now pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Biological Sciences, to be followed by a Master's Degree, under the guidance of Dr Todd Dennis, focusing on the engandered Chatham Islands magenta petrel (taiko).

Twla wishes to thank all those who have supported her over the years, especially Nolan Richards Trust, which awarded her a Scholarship in support of her Bachelor's Degree studies.

PHOTO/ARTICLE: Northland Age, 18th May 2012