HVHS 100 Years Open Day Events

100th Celebrations!

The milestone we’ve all been waiting for is fast approaching. We have planned a vibrant programme for the celebrations on Friday 7 August and Saturday 8 August 2026, designed to help you reconnect with the school and each other, and alumni are also organising and hosting their own events too.

Book Your Seat Now!

Bookings are required for these THREE HVHS EVENTS ONLY:

  1. Staff & Board Member Reunion on Friday, 7 August from 4-7pm
  2. Principal’s Welcome & Mihi Whakatau on Saturday, 8 August at 10am-10:45am, and repeated again from 12:00pm-12:45pm
  3. ⚠️ ** REGISTRATIONS CLOSED** Special Early Dinner for 1940s & 1950s Alumni on Saturday, 8 August from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.  

How to Register:

  1. Click the black button below this article once.
  2. Inside the form, select all the HVHS events you wish to attend.
  3. Submit the form. You only need to complete this form once.
Booking Form (Covers all 3 HVHS Events)

Event 1 | 100th Open Day Celebrations

We’ll be opening the school doors for a special Open Day on Saturday, 8 August 2026, a chance to revisit your old classrooms (those that are standing!) see what’s changed, and reconnect with friends and former teachers.

Highlights include:

  • The Welcome: We will begin with a principal’s welcome and mihi whakatau at 10am (and repeated again at 12 midday), bookings are essential.
  • School Waiata: Followed later in the day with a mass singing of our school waiata, E Tipu at 3pm. There’s nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices and instruments joined in song to bridge the decades.
  • Walk Down Memory Lane: Delve into our extensive archive displays and memorabilia. You can also join a guided tour of the campus to see how things have evolved and what remains exactly as you recall! Honestly, for many of you, B Block and the hall will be the only familiar sight left!
  • Student Showcases: Immerse yourself in the current talent of HVHS with a choice of dance, drama, music, and art displays.
  • Action & Connection: We’ll have a range of sporting events to watch and, of course, plenty of opportunities to share kai (food) and conversation.
  • Capturing the Moment: Don’t miss the scheduled decade photos, the ultimate keepsake from the weekend.

We are crossing every finger and toe that the Wellington weather plays along and gives us a beautiful, fine weekend! There is no fee to attend the 100th Open Day, and everyone is welcome to attend. Please see the timetable below and information on how to reserve your seat at key events (with limited seating).

Event 1 | 100th Open Day – Helpful Planning Information

For alumni who’d like to plan out their 100th Open Day on Saturday, 8 August 2026, please see the timetable under this article, and suggested approaches below.

1940s-1969 Alumni – Recommended Timetable

We’d recommend that alumni from these decade groups book a seat at the Principal’s Welcome / Mihi Whakatau starting at 10am, attend the 100th cake cutting at 11am, and walk over to decade photos starting at 11:30am for 1940-1959, and 12 midday for 1960-1969 group. After that have tea and coffee in the staffroom, visit the archives display next door in the library and take a tour of the school (these are running all day).

1970-1989 Alumni – Recommended Timetable

For this group of alumni we’d recommend they attend the 100th cake cutting at 11am, book a seat at session 2 of the Principal’s Welcome / Mihi Whakatau starting at 12 midday, then head over to decade photos starting at 1:00pm for 1970-1979, and 1:30pm for 1980-1989 group. After that have tea and coffee in the staffroom, visit the archives display next door in the library and take a tour of the school (these are running all day).

Event 1 | 100th Open Day Timetable, Saturday 8 August, 10am-4pm

Decade Reunion Rooms: We also invite you to visit our decade rooms to relax and catch up with old classmates. The decade rooms are located upstairs in B Block: 1940-1959 (B18), 1960-1969 (B16), 1970-1979 (B24), 1980-1989 (B25), 1990-1999 (B19), and 2000-2025 (B20).

Event 2 | Teachers, Staff & Board Members Reunion!

We’re inviting current and former teachers, staff and board members of Hutt Valley High School to a reunion catch-up on Friday, 7 August 2026 from 4pm to 7pm.

Join us upstairs in the staffroom to celebrate 100 years of Hutt Valley High School to catch up with old friends, share kai, reconnect and share stories. There is no fee to attend this event.

How to Book a Seat: Click the black button in the article above titled ‘Booking Form (Covers All 3 HVHS Events)‘. This form covers all 3 HVHS Events, and should only be completed once.

Event 3 | ⚠️ REGISTRATIONS CLOSED ⚠️ 1940s 1950 Alumni – Special Early Dinner

A special early dinner for our 1940s decade and early 1950s alumni is planned for Saturday, 8 August, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The event will be held in the new C‑Block, with doors opening at 5:15pm. The event is now full and registrations have been closed.

At the Special Early Dinner, our Year 12 and 13 (6th & 7th Form) Food & Hospitality students will prepare and serve a three‑course meal for our guests, along with a glass of wine or a non‑alcoholic drink. Alumni from the 1940s decade and 1950s are very welcome to bring a guest to join them at this event. To attend the event, a suggested koha (donation) of $20 per person at the door is appreciated.

For any questions, please email Lana Goddard (Principal’s PA) at lana.goddard@hvhs.school.nz

Upcoming Alumni Events – Register Now

Event 4 | ⚠️ REGISTRATIONS CLOSED ⚠️ 1950-1959 Alumni: Fabulous 50s Decade Luncheon – Now Fully Booked!

This event has had a wonderful response and is now fully booked. Registrations have reached the maximum capacity of 100 attendees.

If you’re already registered for Fabulous 50s Decade Luncheon, for any questions please email Pam Davis at pameladdavis@outlook.co.nz or call 04 5695338.

Event 5 | 1960-1969 Alumni: Calling all HVHS Alumni of the Swinging 60s!

The Decade Dinner is now just over a month away, and our “Swinging ’60s” Dinner is shaping up to be a fantastic evening. We are delighted by the wonderful support received and look forward to welcoming you all, along with our featured guest speaker and past pupil: The Hon Tim Groser.

Cut Off Date:

Seating is limited. To secure your place and assist with catering purposes, the cut-off date for accepting dinner registrations is Monday, 20 July. This is the date guest numbers must be confirmed and finalised with the Lower Hutt Events Centre. Please note, late registrations cannot be accepted.

Dinner Update:

Our event organizers, Jerina Corban-Banks and Chris MacKay, are speaking regularly with the Lower Hutt Events Centre (LHEC) team. The LHEC have been extremely generous, going above and beyond to provide us with a great package deal for the evening, including a delicious three-course dinner.

The LHEC is also happy to cater to all dietary requirements, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. Please let Jerina know at time of registering if you have specific requirements.

Dinner Details:

  • Date: Saturday 8 August
  • Cost: Cost $95 per person (includes complimentary house drink on arrival, three-course plated meal and complimentary tea and coffee with dessert. A cash bar will be available).
  • Venue: Hutt Events Centre (formerly the Old Town Hall), Riddiford Gardens, 30c Laings Road, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt.
  • Parking: Available on-site at the venue.
  • Event Timeline: Mix and mingle from 5:30pm -7:00pm, seated for dinner at 7:00pm, formal speeches from 8:00-8:30pm including special guest speaker Hon Tim Groser (1964-68), and following speeches will be dessert, coffee and tea.

How to Register for the 1960s Decade Dinner:

To reserve your spot, please email Jerina Corban-Banks at jerinacorbanbanks@gmail.com with the following details:

  • Your Name: First and last name (please include your maiden name or the name you used during your school years).
  • Years Attended HVHS: e.g., 1962–1967 (an approximate guess is completely fine)!
  • Guests: Names and the total number of people attending with you.

Jerina will reply to confirm your spot and provide the payment information.

Special Note for 1950s Alumni:

We are delighted to have a table of 1950s alumni joining us. Many are attending both the Fabulous 50s Luncheon on Friday, 7 August, and our 60s Decade Dinner on Saturday, 8 August. If that sounds like you, please get in touch, the more the merrier!

Event 6 | ⚠️ REGISTRATIONS CLOSED ⚠️1970-1979 Alumni: A Groovy 70s Meet n Greet

Registration is now closed for the 1970s Decade get-together on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, as the venue has reached full capacity. Please note that entry is limited to pre-registered guests only.

If you have already pre-registered and have any questions about the event, please email Paul and Christine Barnett (née Davis) at christinebarnett@xtra.co.nz.

Event 7 | Calling all students who started in 3rd Form in 1980!

We would love to reconnect with all our old friends from our HVHS years (1980-1984) and this a once in a lifetime chance to catch up and reminisce! We’ve booked a private room upstairs at the Speights Ale house in Petone on Saturday, 8 August. The cost for the venue, a welcome drink & nibbles is $30 per head. There will also be a cash bar. Don’t miss out – register by Saturday, 18 July!

How to Register & Pay

  1. To register for the event email Carolyn Crawford-Smith at crawfordsmith@kinect.co.nz with your full name, (maiden name too please) email address and contact number by Saturday, 18 July.
  2. Make your payment by depositing $30 per person into the following BNZ account:
    Carolyn Crawford-Smith
    02-0466-0248382-008
    Please use your full name as the reference.

Please note: Because we need to pay a venue deposit and pre-order food, we are unfortunately unable to offer refunds once paid.

For any questions, please call Carolyn on 022 034 7117 or email her at crawfordsmith@kinect.co.nz.

bout the venue or facilities please call Graham Tennent at Roof Logic on 04 475 7663 or email Mike Tate-Davis at mike@e3architects.co.nz

Event 8 | HVHS Class of 1988-1992 Reunion!

With HVHS reaching it’s 100th year, it’s a great excuse to reconnect with some old classmates.

Come and catch up, share some old memories, create some new ones, and maybe even have a boogie! The private event starts at 8pm, but feel free to pop down earlier if you are around!

  • Date: Saturday, 8 August, 8:00pm-1:00am
  • Location: Abandoned Taproom, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone
  • Cost: $30
  • Register: Ticket bookings are online via TryBooking.com
  • Latest news: Visit the dedicated Facebook event page

There will be a few nibbles available, and the kitchen will be open. Abandoned can cater for most dietary requirements, just remember to stipulate if you have any when booking your ticket, so that we can advise them. For any questions, please contact Pip Cheung at hvhsreunion88to92@gmail.com.

Event 9 | Calling the Class of 1994

The Class of 1994 (& Friends from the Classes of 1993 & 1995) is taking the opportunity to reconnect as part of the Hutt Valley High School 100th Celebrations in August this year, bringing together those who started at HVHS as third formers in 1990 and finished as seventh formers in 1994. Two events are being planned across the celebration weekend for the class of 1994:

1) Friday Night Reunion – 7:00pm, Friday 7 August 2026: Join us for a relaxed evening catch-up in the Woburn Room at the Angus Inn Conference Centre. This is the largest function space at the venue and will be a great setting to reconnect.

  • Cash bar available
  • Partners welcome
  • Open to all who identify with the Class of 1994

Many attendees will also be joining the wider school community at the 100th Open Day on Saturday, 8 August.

2) Saturday Morning Brunch – 9:30am, Saturday 8 August 2026: Continue the catch-up over brunch at Mariana’s Kitchen Eatery (entrance by the Little Theatre, next to the War Memorial Library on the Queens Drive side). This event is a casual and easy way to reconnect before the rest of the day’s celebrations take place over at HVHS.

A strong contingent of Auckland-based 1994 alumni has already booked flights down to Wellington and accomodation in Lower Hutt for the weekend, making this a particularly special reunion.

Coordination is being led by Leanne Jones, Hunter Tretheway, Mark Tanner, Rees Ward and a wider group of classmates and friends.

Get involved: If you’re part of the Class of 1994 (or nearby years) and would like to join, please get in touch with Rees at reesward@hotmail.com to stay updated.

Event 10 | Calling the Class of 2004 & All 2000s Alumni for a Crooked Elm Reunion!

Calling all HVHS alumni from the classes of 2000 through to 2009! As part of the HVHS 100th celebrations, we’re inviting our 2000s crew to come together for an evening of reconnection, memories, and celebration.

  • Date: Friday, 7 August, 5:00pm-10:00pm
  • Location: The Crooked Elm, 25 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt
  • Cost: $20
  • Register: Ticket bookings are online via EventBookings.com
  • Latest news: get in touch with Matt Renata at matthewrenata@outlook.com

As numbers at The Crooked Elm are limited, this will be a ticketed event, buy your tickets now by clicking here! We’ll have a live DJ, food, giveaways, and time to catch up with old friends (maybe even new!) before joining the wider school community for the Open Day celebrations on Saturday 8 August 2026.

A group of alumni from the Class of 2004 are coordinating the event, and we’d love to spread the word far and wide. For more information, to stay updated please get in touch with Matt Renata at matthewrenata@outlook.com

Celebrate 100 Years – Support the Next Generation

To mark Hutt Valley High School’s centenary, we are proud to offer this limited-edition collection of commemorative wines, featuring a Shiraz, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Created as a lasting memento of this significant milestone, each bottle celebrates the people, memories, achievements, and connections that have shaped our school community over the past 100 years. More than a keepsake, every purchase helps invest in the young people who are part of our school community today. Funds raised will help create opportunities, remove barriers to participation, and ensure more students can access the experiences, connections, and personal growth that come from being involved in school life.

Whether you’re a former student, staff member, whānau member, supporter, or friend of Hutt Valley High School, your purchase helps honour our past while investing in the next generation.

Raise a glass to 100 years, order your wine by clicking here

Celebrating 100 Years – 100th Magazine, Blazer Pin & Branded Clothing

Commemorative 100th Magazine & Blazer Pin
To celebrate our centenary, we will have 100th Blazer Pins ($7) and our 100th Magazine ($20) on sale at the HVHS Office from Thursday, 6 August to Saturday, 8 August.

The special commemorative 100th Magazine, researched and written by Peter Bidwell, celebrates a century of HVHS history. Inside the magazine, you’ll find a look back at the school’s history through the eras of our principals, as well as nostalgic ‘then & now’ photo collages covering school camps, reunions, sports days, and the evolution of our buildings. Also included are our official rolls of honour celebrating our dux recipients, head students, major school productions, and more. It is perfect for alumni, families, and friends of the school.

100th Branded Clothing
Alumni and friends of HVHS can also purchase 100th branded clothing, including polo shirts, T-shirts, and hoodies. If your order is placed by 17 July, you will receive it in time to wear to the 100th Open Day. To view the items available, please click here

Alumni Netball & Basketball Players – We Need You!

As part of our Centenary celebrations on Saturday, 8 August, we are bringing a bit of healthy rivalry back to the main gym! The Sports Office is looking for former HVHS students to lace up their sneakers for basketball and netball games against our current top teams.

As part of our Centenary celebrations on Saturday, 8 August, we are bringing a bit of healthy rivalry back to the main gym! The Sports Office is looking for former HVHS students to lace up their sneakers for basketball and netball games against our current top teams.

The Game Day Lineup:

  • Basketball Match: 11:00am, Main Gym
  • Netball Match: 1:30pm, Main Gym

Don’t worry if your fitness levels aren’t quite what they were when you wore the school uniform, these games are all about fun, connection, and friendly bragging rights.

If you’re keen to get involved please email Sarah Coales at sarah.coales@hvhs.school.nz

HVHS 100 Years Open Day Events

To mark Hutt Valley High School’s centenary, we are proud to offer this limited-edition collection of commemorative wines, featuring a Shiraz, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Created as a lasting memento of this significant milestone, each bottle celebrates the people, memories, achievements, and connections that have shaped our school community over the past 100 years. More than a keepsake, every purchase helps invest in the young people who are part of our school community today. Funds raised will help create opportunities, remove barriers to participation, and ensure more students can access the experiences, connections, and personal growth that come from being involved in school life.

Whether you’re a former student, staff member, whānau member, supporter, or friend of Hutt Valley High School, your purchase helps honour our past while investing in the next generation.

Raise a glass to 100 years, order your wine here:
https://alana.co.nz/pages/freedom-wines

Massed Performance of E Tipu (School Waiata) for our 100th Celebration

One of the planned highlights of our upcoming 100th Celebrations on Saturday 8 August will be a massed musical performance of our school waiata, E Tipu. Current students, staff and alumni are warmly invited to take part in this special item, bringing our community together.

To help everyone prepare, below you can now download the instrumental parts to practise in the lead‑up to the big day in August 2026, and also watch a live recording of E Tipu by clicking here

For any questions, please email Jhan Lindsay (Performing Arts Coordinator / Teacher in Charge – Itinerant Music Programme) at music@hvhs.school.nz

Music Parts for E Tipu Performance

Share Your Memories for our Reunion Rooms at the 100th Open Day

We’re very keen to collect memories from alumni and share them with participants on the 100th Celebration Day. Our plan is to turn rooms in B-block into Reunion Rooms for each Decade, spaces where alumni can connect, rest, and relax on Saturday 8 August.

The plan is to display these memories on the classroom walls for each decade. To share your memories with us please complete the form by clicking here

Key Dates for the 100th Celebrations

Friday 7 August 2026:

  • 1950s Luncheon: Summerset Rest Home, 11am Start (FULLY BOOKED)
  • HVHS Teachers, Staff & Board Members Reunion: HVHS Staffroom, 4pm to 7pm
  • Class of 1994 (& ’93 & ’95 Welcome!): Friday Night Reunion, Angus Inn Conference Room, 7:00pm Start (Event 1/2)
  • Class of 2004: Reunion at the Crooked Elm (details being confirmed)

Saturday 8 August 2026:

  • Class of 1994 (& ’93 & ’95 Welcome!): Saturday Morning Brunch, Mariana’s Kitchen Eatery, 9:30am Start (Event 2/2)
  • HVHS Open Day 100th Celebrations: HVHS, 10am to 4pm
  • HVHS Open Day – Principal’s Welcome / Mihi Whakatau (Session 1) – 10am-10:45am
  • HVHS Open Day – Principal’s Welcome / Mihi Whakatau (Session 2) – 12:00pm-12:45pm
  • Groovy 70s Meet n Greet: Hutt Old Boys Marist Rugby Clubrooms, Myrtle Street, Lower Hutt, From 5pm (FULLY BOOKED)
  • The Swinging 60’s Decade Dinner (1960-1969): Lower Hutt Event Centre, Doors Open at 5:30pm
  • Special Early Dinner for Alumni from the 1940s Decade & 1950s, Hosted by HVHS, C-Block, 5:30pm-7:30pm (FULLY BOOKED)

To register or book a seat at these events, please see the articles above for more information.

Latest Alumni Newsletter

To keep updated with Alumni news we recommend pressing the ‘Like’ button on our Facebook page. If you have alumni news, stories or memories to share, please get in touch. We value these contributions from our school contribution.

To read the latest newsletters click the links below:

Neil Whitehead’s Bagpipe Tribute to HVHS

When Neil Whitehead (1956–1960) emailed the school recently, we were delighted by what he had to share. Now 81 years old and still actively playing the bagpipes, Neil fondly recalled his time at Hutt Valley High School particularly being Pipe Major of the school’s former pipe band. He even piped guests into the hall for our 90th anniversary celebration.

Looking ahead to 2026, Neil hopes to be part of the 100th celebrations and he’s also composed a brand new pipe tune for the occasion and generously shared it with us by email. To listen to Neil’s specially composed tune, please click here.

Thank You to the Sponsors of the 100th Celebrations!

We are hugely grateful to our sponsors: Gallagher Insurance, Fuji Film: Business Innovation, NXP: Business Supplies Sorted, New Era Technology and the Past Pupils and Friends Association (PPFA).

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