Arthur Faulkner (Te Whitu, while at Otara College) 1969 – early 1973
I started at Otara College Feb 1969. Our family moved to Hills Road, which meant I started school, not knowing anyone. Mrs Kirikiri was my form 3 teacher. That first year was head down, a bit of an introvert, big word for shy.
Then I made friends with Dawson Epae and we developed into great mates. (I was his best man at his wedding). My house was the last one before school, so my circle of friend met there before school. Mum would make a batch of fried bread. We knew we had 16 minutes to get to school from my house.
Naughty things we use to do, no names, picked the bike locks and swap them around, then after school, sit and watch the commotion. Who put the fish in the music teachers piano? Turn Bunsen burners into flame throwers.
Who remembers Tina Cross giving us cheek as we walked pass her house. She never did go to Hillary College.
I use to hang around Josephine Toa, my crush. Then I dated Christine Lawerence, use to live in Harwood Cres. We even worked together. We both played Hockey for Hillary College.
While at Hillary I joined the Poly Club, Softball, Athletics and Tennis. Main reason to attend College eat my lunch, hand out with mates, play sport. Somehow, I got educated. My house was Rutherford.
In 1972, the Polynesian Club attended an event at Rutherford High School with Mt Roskill Grammar, Lynfield College.
We also travelled to Gisborne and the East Coast as a Poly Club and played Netball and rugby.
Mr Johnstone took me to Cross Country and Track events, representing our school.
Our greatest achievement in Hockey was beating Kings College at home 2-1 (the number 1 ranked school). Three of us got to trial for NZ Secondary School Boys Hockey team, held over a weekend. Unfortunately, there was a
bias against low decile schools, hence non selection. Played Hockey for Manukau Counties.
Our softball team was rated highly back then. My step brother Philip was a pitcher.
I left school 1973 and joined the Woolworths management cadet scheme. I trained at Otara, then was appointed Section Manager Variety Dept Mangere. I was loaned out to Taupo Supermarket over Xmas/New Year. It did half its store turnover during those months. I ended up working both Queen Street stores as deputy manager. At 21 I was appointed Manager of Te Kuiti, then transferred to Gisborne.
On returning to Auckland 1978, they wanted me to change over to Supermarkets and I was appointed Manager of Otara. I think Rendell’s burn down while I was there. We had the machete incident. I use to catch gang members
shoplifting and prayed I live another day. I did a short stint at New Lynn Supermarket and returned to Variety stores.
Appointed Manager of Upper Queen Street, that got demolish by Chase Corp Properties. I Manager the new Queen Street store fitout, from there I got promoted to NZ Store Conversion Manager. I put my name forward to be a Branch Controller which meant I looked after McKenzie transition, Woolworth Variety and Bond & Bond for South Auckland region including Hamilton. I was then head hunted to take on Auckland’s new MaxiMarts, 4 in total. I was opening Manager for Mt Wellington the 1 st store and Manukau City (3 rd ), overseeing Glenfield (2 nd ) and New Lynn
(4 th ). I was guaranteed to be Manager of Bayfair MaxiMart Tauranga, where Bayfair stands today. Rebranded DEKA end of store developments. Name dropping now, Greg Foran (Ex Walmart, Ex Air New Zealand) manged New Lynn MaxiMart. I use to hold Kieran Foran (Rugby League) in my arms. Mark Brook-Cowden (All Black and Rugby League) mother use to work for me. I did a signing tour with Richard Hadlee (Gun & Moore). I was lucky to have Possum Borne’s car on show in some of our Woolworths stores, because I knew his Step Mother. (Being married to a South
African that owned a wine cellar, she supplied the wine for my wedding.)
Life after Woolworths (LD Nathans). 1991, I joined Whitcoulls new division of Office Products in Rotorua. I was then appointment Central North Island Manager Office Products for Blue Star, Boise, School Supplies. OfficeMax took over and I was made redundant.
I volunteered running school sports in Rotorua for the council, while working as a private Tour Guide /Driver for the high-end market. (Millionaires) Most notable Jack Black the actor. A Vice president that loss all her staff in 9/11.
The local Catholic Primary School St Marys employed me part time to help grow their sports programmes, worked well with my Tour job. The local Catholic College John Paul College was looking for a Director of Sports. I had managed and coach my daughters’ team when she was a student there.
While at Church one day the principle of John Paul College taps me on the shoulder and said he need to see me in his office the next day.
I turned up to an interview with 3 deputy principal and him. I keep telling them, I have no PE background, no Sport Science background. Next day I was told you’re hired. They hired me based on council, parent feedback and St Mary’s principals report. I spent the next 11 years up until retirement overseeing 31 different sports. John Paul starts at Year 7 thru to Year 13 a roll of 1’200 students. I remember the Hillary College Vocational Guidance person advising me to take up teaching.
I also did 12 years in the NZ Territorial Army, highest rank, full corporal NZ Mobile Dental Corp.
Now I’m happily retired and a widower.
Whenever I hear someone knocking Otara, I proudly say I lived and was educated at Hillary College.
Other siblings that went to Hillary College: Susan and Darlene Te Whitu (Sisters) Phillip Te Whitu (Step brother)P.S don’t check my spelling and comprehension; I use to only just pass English.
That’s me Arthur Faulkner (Te Whitu). Schooling: Otara Primary – Otara Intermediate – Otara College, before they all change their names.