About

John Blaikie

Chairman

(Old boy - 1987 - 1991)

After finishing his time at Otago Boys' John completed degrees at the University of Otago and at the University of Cambridge (UK). He also had a nine year professional rugby career in New Zealand and France. John is married to Tara and has three children.

John is now an Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners and has been involved in the financial services industry (both in New Zealand and overseas) since 2008.

John is passionate about the School and wants to ensure the right structures are in place to enable the School to continue to provide an outstanding education and experience for our pupils.

Richard Hall

Rector

OBHS Old Boy (1987-1988)

After completing 6th and 7th forms at Otago Boys’ (having moved from New Plymouth), Richard completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Otago and Diploma of Teaching at Canterbury College of Education  in 1993. A long career  in boys education; at Rotorua Boys’ High School, Napier Boys’ High School and Tauranga Boys’ College saw him offered the opportunity of a lifetime in 2015 to be the 14th Rector of our School. Richard sees the Foundation as the key vehicle to provide first class facilities and opportunities for our current and future pupils, to make up the shortfall and allow developments that just can’t happen under the state school model. 

Richard is married, with two children, one of whom attends the School. 

Des Smith

Des was educated at the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1966. He taught at OBHS from 1968–1995, being Deputy Rector in his final five years at the school. He was the first Manager of the Edgar Sports Centre before managing both the Highlanders and Otago Rugby Teams from 1997-2004.

Before retiring in 2014 he held the position of Operations Manager for the NZ Secondary Schools Sports Council, overseeing secondary school sport throughout the country. For the past 4 years Des has been President of the Otago Rugby Football Union.

In 2017 he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Rugby and the Community. During the past four years Des has been assisting the school in a number of ways, including being on the Fundraising Committee to redevelop the Hostel, and has raised money to assist families who struggle financially. Des is married to Raylene and has three children and ten grandchildren. Both of his sons are old boys, and he now has 3 grandsons at the school.

Gerard Finnie

Old Boys' Society President

OBHS Old Boy (1981-1985)

Gerard attended OBHS from 1981 to 1985 before completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Otago, majoring in Accounting. From there he entered the financial services industry and after 30 years is running his own business as a financial adviser specialising in Life & Health Insurance and Kiwisaver.

Gerard has been heavily involved in playing, coaching and administering local cricket, including over 10 years chairman of the Dunedin Junior Cricket Association and recently being awarded the Sir Jack Newman Trophy for services to junior cricket at the NZ cricket awards.

Gerard is married to Sonya, with two children. His son Josh also attended the school, whilst being selected for the NZ under 19 cricket team during his final year. 

He is keen to see the Old Boys’ Society continue to support the school and hold events to encourage socialising and networking opportunities.

Lockie Chisholm

Lockie attended school in the Southern Lakes before attending the University of Otago and completing a Commerce Degree. This has been followed by a 25 year career in the Commercial Property sector within the South Island.  

 Lockie is married with 3 children, one of whom currently attends Otago Boys’ High School.

Lawrence Alloo

OBHS Old Boy (1981-1985)

Lawrence attended School from 1981 to 1985 and then completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Information Systems at the University of Otago. After 11 years as a Chartered Accountant, he moved into starting and managing his own businesses.  Superior is a custom blended solid fertiliser company servicing the lower South Island and Seperex Nutritionals researches and develops primarily dairy-based export ingredients for infant formula and nutritional supplement companies throughout Asia. Other business interests include Manuka honey exports and contract manufacturing for encapsulation, honey packing, juice bottling and powder blending out of Christchurch.

Lawrence is married to Jenny and they have two daughters and a son, who also
attended the School. Lawrence would love to see the Foundation assist in the
redevelopment of the Hostel and other key structural assets for future generations to enjoy.

John Latta

 Old Boy 1974–77
John was among the first Year 9 students to move into the brand new School House hostel in 1974 and he now has his fourth son living in the hostel and attending the school. 

After OBHS, John studied at Lincoln University and played rugby for Otago in the 1980s. He has served on the Otago Country Rugby Board and is currently the country representative on the Otago Rugby Union.  He is also a life member of the Owaka Rugby Club. 

John owns a farm in the Owaka Valley and a smaller trading property on the Taieri Plain. 

A strong believer in paying it forward, John joined the Foundation because he believes in contributing what he can for the betterment of all boys who walk the Otago Boys halls - both now and in the future.