Robert Cecil Hayes

Robert Cecil Hayes was an astronomer and seismologist who made significant contributions in these fields even without formal qualifications.

James Alexander Pond

James Alexander Pond a noted analytical chemist and specialist in homoeopathic remedies. After immigrating to New Zealand from England, he worked in the Thames goldfields, using his expertise to unmask frauds and to treat the miners. He was known by them as 'The Doctor.'

Walter Fricker

Walter Fricker was born in Somerset, England and came to New Zealand in 1863. He introduced the world’s first airmail postage stamp when he launched a pigeongram service between Great Barrier Island and Auckland in 1897.

David Alexander Hay

Born in Gloucestershire England, Hay was the son of the founder of Montpellier Nurseries and introduced Pinus Radiata to New Zealand. He was an authority on plants and held senior positions in the Auckland Horticulture Society and the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.

Sir Algernon Philips Withiel Thomas (KCMG)

Algernon Philips Thomas (the name Withiel was added later) was born in Cheshire, England and graduated MA from Oxford University in 1881. In 1882 he discovered the cause of liver rot in sheep, a finding of great scientific and economic importance. He arrived in Auckland in 1883 to take up the position of Professor of Natural Science at University College, which was newly established. As well as teaching, he became a widely acknowledged expert on many scientific matters.

Arthur Guyon Purchas

Arthur Purchas was a British qualified medical doctor. He volunteered as a medical missionary after hearing of Bishop Selwyn’s Australasian work for the Church. He was initially medical officer at St Johns theological college, becoming a priest following his ordination in 1853.

George Bruce Bolt

George Bolt was a pioneer of commercial aviation in New Zealand and as such he made an outstanding contribution that assisted the local application of aerial technology. Bolt was both a trained mechanic and pilot who built and flew his first glider in 1911. He pioneered air mail services with flights to Dargaville, Thames and Whangarei.