AUGUSTA AWARDS

The Augusta Awards

The annual Augusta Awards evolved from the Association's Old Boy of the Year Award. These awards are given to Old Boys who are at the top of their respective industries or specialties, or who have demonstrated a remarkable contribution to the fields of Arts, Business, Sport and/or Public Service. The awards recognise Old Boys who have made a significant contribution in their chosen field, who have made a positive impact in their field throughout their careers, and have used their talents to encourage and inspire others to follow their lead.

The Augusta Awards are for Old Boys who have achieve at the highest level in their chosen career or profession; or through their achievements made an outstanding contribution to or demonstrated leadership in their profession, their community, New Zealand or the world. Award categories are Academia, Arts, Business, Service and Sport.

The Lion Award is for a younger Old Boy who, at an earlier stage of their career, are demonstrating leadership and/or remarkable achievement for their age. Early achievement may include attaining a national sporting achievement, being a senior executive or director reaching partnership in a notable professional service. The award recognises Old Boys who demonstrate outstanding leadership, integrity, excellence, respect, courage, pride, commitment and humility, and are in early or mid-career

If you know someone who you think is a suitable candidate for either award, please submit your nomination by filling in the online form here. Ensure that you send supporting information or other documents to agsoba@ags.school.nz.

2025 Augusta Award recipients

DR MURRAY MACCORMICK, CNZM '59

DR MURRAY MACCORMICK, CNZM '59

Murray started at Auckland Grammar School in 1959 and was heavily involved in extracurricular activities including Cricket and Rugby, as well as being named as both a Librarian and a Prefect in his final year. Murray has been a surgeon for 45 years, specialising in breast cancer and vascular surgery, and has worked as a tutor, consultation surgeon, and clinical director of General Surgery at Auckland Hospital. In addition to his work at the hospital, Murray is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery at the University of Auckland, where he has introduced numerous surgical procedures, including breast reconstruction following mastectomy, carotid artery surgery, and a number of laparoscopic procedures which are now in general use. He also founded the first multidisciplinary service for the management of breast cancer in Auckland in both the public and private spheres, and led the establishment of breast screening in Northland. He was also was one of the pioneers of renal transplant surgery in New Zealand. Murray has been significantly involved with the Cancer Society, serving as a Board Member of the Cancer Society Auckland Northland Division and Chair for three years. Murray was an active teacher and a great mentor for generations of young surgeons, and he retired from his role in 2017.

DAVE MORGAN, ONZM '73

DAVE MORGAN, ONZM '73

Dave enter the School in 1973, and was involved in several extracurricular pursuits, including the Orchestra, Rugby and Cricket, where he was the manager of the 1st XI Cricket team. The 1st XI Cricket Trophy (otherwise known as the the D. R. Morgan Cup) for Sportsmanship, Loyalty and Effort was established by David as he finished his tenure at the School in 1977, and is a trophy that is still presented at the annual Prizegiving to this day. Flying has always been a long-held passion for Dave, as his father used to fly de Havilland Tiger Moth planes. He began his career with Air New Zealand in the mid-1980s, flying short-haul routes before progressing to long-haul fleets. From the outset, he was a calm, unassuming professional who prepared meticulously, set high standards, and earned quiet respect on the flight deck. Across nearly four decades of service with the airline, Dave served as line pilot, training captain and senior leader. He was named as Chief Pilot in 2006 flying the Airbus A320, and later the Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer. Dave helped shape the flight operations, championing rigorous procedures, robust safety reporting and a culture of continuous improvement, and helped see Air NZ consistenly ranked among the world's safest airlines. As part of his commitment to mentoring aviation and business leaders, Dave also serves on the Massey University Business School's Advisory Board, providing strategic guidance for education and leadership and has supported the Walsh Scout Flying School for more than 40 years. He has mentored countless pilots, insisting that technical excellence be matched by thoughtful judgement and clear communication. Dave's tenure coincided with years of change and disruption for global aviation. Colleagues recall his steadiness under pressure, his willingness to front difficult conversations, and his habit of turning lessons learned into practical guidance. He remained current on the line well into his executive years, reaffirming that the heart of the job is service to passengers and crew. In the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, Dave was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to aviation, and Chief Executive of Air New Zealand Greg Foran highlighted Dave's long-standing service on the airline. "When people think of Air New Zealand, many think of Captain Morgan. His leadership has helped define who we are today - an airline built on safety, professionalism, and a strong purpose."

RICHARD CHAMBERS '85

RICHARD CHAMBERS '85

Richard started at Auckland Grammar School in in 1985, played in the 7A and 7B Rugby teams, and was described by masters as a "quiet, unassuming young man, who works hard and always gives his best in class and on the sports field." He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland as well as an Executive Master's in Public Administration. Richard joined the New Zealand Police in January 1996, starting his career at the Avondale station. During his almost 30 years with the police, he has held a number of different roles and responsibilities, including Senior Sergeant, Area Commander, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner. After a stint as Director of Organised and Emerging Crime with Interpol in Lyon, where he was responsible for operations and strategy development focusing on criminal networks, vulnerable communities, and illicit markets, including environmental crime, Richard was promoted to his current role as Commissioner of New Zealand Police in 2024. Richard was nominated by friend Chris Johnston '85 who wrote a compelling supporting statement for his nomination. "Beyond his operational successes, Richard embodies the values instilled by Auckland Grammar School - discipline, service, and excellence. His career is a testament to the strength of character, resilience, and dedication to justice that define a true leader." Chris added that "Richard's contributions to both national and global security continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps."

2025 Lion Award recipient

The Lion Award recipient for 2025 is Matt Macdonald '12.

Matt (pictured far left) joined the School's Rowing squad in Form 4, becoming a member of the Under 15 Novice and the A Crew Coxed Pairs. Matt continued to rise through the ranks. He was a member of both the Under 15 and Under 16 Eights. In 2015, Matt was a member of the Under 17 Eights crew who were third at the annual Maadi Cup.

Matt was named as Captain of Rowing in 2016 and received several awards, including the Barry Cleal Cup for Most Outstanding Crew as a member of the Under 18 Pair with Damien Gleye (after their second-place finish at the Karapiro Regatta 2), the Jim Cusack Cup (for Best Oarsman), and Sports Colours for Rowing.

After graduating from Auckland Grammar School, Matt won Silver in the New Zealand Junior Men's Coxless four at the World Rowing Junior Championships in 2017. Winning Gold in the Under 22 team, the Under 20 Pairs and the Under 22 Coxless Four at the National Championships, Matt made the Under 23 Men's Coxless Four who won Bronze at the World Rowing Championships in Poland. and a first senior Worlds in 2019 with the eight.

Matt received a Red Coat in 2019, and in the same year, he was selected into the Elite Men's Eight crew, sitting in 7-seat bowside. This crew would win Gold at the World Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland and then history was made. In Matt's Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 - and after a near 50-year wait - the Men's Eight would go onto to win Olympic Gold.

In 2022, Matt teamed up with Tom Mackintosh in the Elite Men's Pair and would go onto win Gold at the Henley Royal Regatta, receiving the Silver Goblets and the Nickalls Challenge Cup. Recast back into the Men's Four in 2023 and after winning Bronze at the World Championships, the crew competed at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where they took home the Silver medal.

Previous recipients

2024 Augusta Awardees Dr Gordon Nicholson, ONZM '45
Professor Boyd Swinburn '67
Matthew Whineray '82
Grammar Lion Award recipient - Hamish Kerr '10
2023 Augusta Awardees Uluomato'otua (Ulu) Aiono, ONZM '68
Dr Osmond (Bruce) Hadden, CNZM '55
Professor Philip Hill '81
Grammar Lion Award recipient - Aaron Gate '04
2022 Augusta Awardees Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no awardees were announced in 2022
2021 Augusta Awardees Dr Jock Carnachan, MNZM '59
Dr Robert (Rob) Kirkpatrick '64
Robert (Bob) Narev, ONZM, MNZM '50
Grammar Lion Award recipient - Kyle Jamieson '08
2020 Augusta Awardees Ian Bissett '68
Mark Burgess '58
Greg Cross '72
Grammar Lion Award recipient - Dr Henry Wong Doe '90
2019 Augusta Awardees Alan Galbraith, QC '57
Dr Alastair MacCormick '57
D. Scott Milne '69
Peter Thompson '76
Grammar Lion Award recipient - Fady Mishriki '95
2018 Augusta Awardees Stephen Jacobi '73
Professor Richie Poulton, CNZM '76
The Honourable Justice Lyn Stevens, QC '60
Inaugural Grammar Lion Award recipient - Anthony Hoy Fong '91
2017 Augusta Awardees The Honourable Sir Roger Douglas '51 - Service
Don McKenzie, CNZM, OBE '55 - Service
Roger Moses, ONZM '68 - Service
Eugene Paykel '47 - Academia
2016 Augusta Awardees Sir Michael Friedlander, CNZM, KNZM '49 - Service
Emeritus Professor David Gerrard, CNZM, OBE '58 - Sport, Service and Academia
Emeritus Professor Murray Meikle '52 - Academia
2015 Augusta Awardees Dr Harold Coop '47
Professor Digby MacDonald '57
Ian Narev '80
2014 Augusta Awardees
John Barnett, ONZM '59 - Arts
Dr Nigel Evans, '53 ONZM - Service
Sir Christopher Mace, CNZM '55 - Business
Professor Peter McNaughton '62 - Academia
2013 Augusta Awardees
Dr Raoul Franklin, CBE '48 - Academia
Professor Alan Kirkness '54 - Academia
Greer Twiss '52 - Arts
2011 Augusta Awardees
Sir David Baragwanath, KNZM '54 - Service
Sir James McNeish, KNZM '44 - Arts
Bruce Plested '55 - Business
Andrew Simester '80 - Academia
2010 Augusta Awardees
Howard Harper '44 - Service
Professor Cedric Hassall '33 - Academia
Victor Percival, ONZM '43 - Business
2009 Augusta Awardees
Denis Feeney '68 - Academia
Max Gimblett, ONZM '50 - Arts
The Right Honourable Sir Duncan McMullin '40 - Service
2008 Augusta Awardees
Gus Fisher, ONZM '35 - Arts and Business
Sir Patrick Eisdell Moore '30 - Service
Mark Warner '65 - Academia
2007 Augusta Awardees Sir John Buchanan '56 - Service
Professor Peter Hunter '62 - Academia
The Honourable Peter Watson, ONZM '66 - Service
2006 Old Boy of the Year Professor Sir Graham Liggins '39
2005 Old Boy of the Year Hamish Carter, ONZM '85
2004 Old Boy of the Year His Excellency, the Rt Hon Sir Kenneth Keith, ONZ KBE QC '51
2003 Old Boy of the Year Professor Sir Hugh Kawharu, ONZ FRS (NZ) '40