Nelson College
Nelson College is the oldest state secular secondary school in New Zealand, being founded on April 7, 1856.
Its most famous old boy is the Nobel Prize winning scientist Ernest Rutherford. New Zealand Prime Ministers Wallace (Bill) Rowling and Geoffrey Palmer were also pupils.
A team from Nelson College took part in the first game of rugby played in New Zealand, against the Nelson Rugby Football Club on May 14, 1870 at what is now known as the Botanic Reserve, Nelson.
Nelson College currently has just over 1000 students, and also runs a small Preparatory Department for years 7 and 8 (Forms 1 and 2).
The current Headmaster of Nelson College is Salvi Gargiulo.