CCOBA latest news

Wanting to share special spaces in New Zealand with eco-friendly explorers, Old Boy Will Parsons (7882) sets the green standard in tourism tours.

Having been warned by his Housemaster not to waste his time on racehorses, Old Boy – and the co-breeder with wife Susan Archer of the legendary double Cox Plate winner Sunline – Michael Martin (7863) wryly smiles when recalling his school days.

Old Boy author and former Canterbury cricketer Jon Parson (6555) returned to Christ’s College for his 70 Years On Reunion in February.

On Sunday 1 February 2026, a bunch of Christ’s College (CC) Old Boys arrived at The Valley of Peace Cricket Club ground to face one of its old foes, St Andrew’s College (StAC) Old Collegians. While several were buoyed by nostalgia, all were full of optimism.

Christchurch truly turned on the weather for our annual Reunion Weekend (13–15 February), as we welcomed back more than 250 Old Boys to College. We were delighted to have David Mayne (Taupō) and Gerald Lascelles join us for their 80 Years On Reunion.

For Old Boy Richard Blundell (6996), charity begins at home.

Distinguished historian, award-winning author, and Old Boy Dr Jock Phillips ONZM (7087) has opened the pages to New Zealand’s storied past.

A former District Court Judge, New Zealand Parole Board Convenor, Liquor Licensing Authority Chairman, and CCOBA President, Bill Unwin QSO (5899) sets the benchmark in public service and legal leadership.

A noted historian, a long-serving District Court judge, a philanthropist, a community stalwart, a conservationist, and members of several well-known College business and farming families recently returned to celebrate their 65 and 75 Years On Reunion.

An English lord, whose late brother attended Christ’s College from 1957–60, visited us as part of his week-long stay in Christchurch to mark Canterbury’s 175th anniversary.

He flew around the world as a cabin crew with Thai Airways for more than a decade, operated a pub and restaurant in Bangkok and is just launching a new activewear business.

Jason Shin was working his Sunday afternoon shift at Noel Leeming, his part-time job while at university, when a female customer walked in and asked for help to set up her new house with some appliances.

Hamish Falls-Anderson (OB number) wants Old Boys to continue wearing their 'stripes' after their College days' are over.

David Newton (8938), our HOD Physics and an Old Boy, has turned his building prowess to making an eye-catching plinth on which to display the hand-carved poppy bowl gifted to Christ’s College earlier this year to mark the 175th anniversary.

Exemplifying the school virtues of respect, justice, and compassion, Old Boy Jim Goodwin KSO has been presented with the prestigious Senior Honours Tie by Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association President Blue Henderson during Assembly.

Each year on 4 July, Nigel Evans receives a phone call from his former Christ’s College History and Divinity teacher, Jim Pine, wishing the Julius House Old Boy ‘Happy Birthday’. Now 92, Jim continues to be a strong and supportive presence in Nigel’s life after Nigel lost his father during his final year at Christ’s College in 1970.

Kamolnai Chaixanien (8725) was the first Thai student to attend Christ’s College when he boarded at Jacobs in the mid 1970s.

Working in Singapore as an in-house tax lawyer for the world’s largest energy company is a far cry from Harry Tothill’s (13787) early career days.

Paul Luxton’s (9200) early years working on his parents’ orchard on the outskirts of Christchurch sparked the start of a lifelong career in agriculture that today sees him based in Bangkok.

Old Boy Michael Rowland-Jones (12707) has created the recipe for success by combining the best business ingredients as the co-owner of popular Christchurch eateries Brigittes Merivale and the new Brigittes Sumner.

The “most successful 1st XV” in Christ’s College history reunited, 40 years on from its unbeaten 1985 season.

Christ’s College Old Boy Harry Black has delivered an insightful Career Convos session, detailing his role with leading project management and strategic advisory business RCP.

Mark Warren (8838) didn’t always appreciate his family’s choice to send him to Christ’s College.

Marty Murchison (13303) has always been a man in a hurry.

Consultant anaesthetist Chris Munns (11018) has recently returned to Christchurch after 18 years living in Australia and England.

The Tipping brothers – Andrew, Paul and Simon – are memorable in their own right and as three high achieving siblings.

Jeremy Evans (11713) is slightly distracted. His energetic dog, Barnaby, has just bolted out a gate inadvertently left open.

Jack Lindo (14848) isn’t the first young lawyer to find his university studies much removed from daily life practising law.

Chartered Accountant Hamish Matheson (10897) once had grand thoughts of working as a CFO for a hotel chain on a tropical island.

Old Boy Will Simcock has been awarded a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship to complete his PhD in Neuroscience.

Old Boy James Hay has brewed up a winning recipe at Business Banter at Christ’s College, sharing his journey to creating a community-focused craft beer brewery.

A few weeks ago, the College community gathered to dedicate the Wilson Murray Memorial Window in our Chapel.

Congratulations to Peter Couchman (9016) who has been awarded Master Electrician of the Year, recognising his outstanding contribution to the industry.

Stone sculptor, hill country farmer, and College Old Boy Marcus Helmore (6899) continues to carve out a three-dimensional career.

They say the average person will change their career up to seven times during their working life.

Nick Harvey (11731) knows better than anyone else the importance of brand.

Mark Cochrane, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, took to the stage at Business Banter to share the remarkable story behind the iconic advertising agency.

During his fledgling career as a sharebroker, Jeremy Nurse (6664) looked out the window and wished he was in the great outdoors.

Nick Hodgson (12352) was always keen to experience professional life in a region very different from New Zealand, with a longer term focus on Asia.

As a young teenager, Michael Lawry (12971) was already eyeing a career in the military, attracted by the exciting mix of study, travel and unique experiences.