XŌtaki Hall of Fame
One of our initiatives is the XŌtaki Hall of Fame where we celebrate high achieving ex-students who have gone on to make their mark on the world in varied fields. We believe there is no better inspiration for current students than to see that though they're from a small school, in a small town, in a small country at the bottom of the world—there are no limits to what they can achieve. And what better way to illustrate that by featuring former pupils who have done great things.
Introducing our 2025 Inductees
Kathy Tracey
Kathy has had an amazing sporting and professional career. Her journey has taken her from surf lifesaving to canoeing, where she snagged a silver medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. One of her biggest achievements was being part of the first women's fours crew to row an ocean unassisted, setting a Guinness World Record in the 2005 Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race. Professionally, she built a career as a child protection specialist in the UK, later transitioning into training, development, and entrepreneurship. She’s completed some seriously tough endurance events including an ultra-trail marathon, climbing Kilimanjaro, hiking the Great Wall of China, and trekking to Everest base camp. Today, she continues to serve as an in-demand leadership coach and facilitator in New Zealand.
Kathy's story is all about determination, adventure, and making a difference.
Lincoln Nicholls
From his days as Head Boy at Ōtaki College and the inaugural winner of the College's Sports Person of the Year Award, to inspiring careers dedicated to education, medicine, and service, Lincoln has lived a life defined by leadership, commitment, and excellence. After obtaining a solid base of foundational skills which were derived from strong cultural, academic and sporting values acquired from both the college, his hapu, iwi and the Otaki community, he pursued and achieved a successful career in teaching before answering a call to medicine, earning his medical degrees and serving as a New Zealand Army Medical Officer - including deployments to Afghanistan and the Pacific Islands. Driven by a passion for Hauora Māori and public service, Lincoln has worked in hospitals nationwide, has obtained a Fellowship with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and is taking his final step to obtaining Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery.
A devoted husband, father, and multiple Ironman finisher, he continues to embody the values of determination, service, and achievement that Ōtaki College holds dear.
Come out and support our 2025 inductees and your local school and community as we celebrate these high achieving ex-students
Drinks, canapés and celebration
5pm-8.00pm Friday 24th October 2025
Ōtaki College Hall
We're also introducing a new category for longtime supporters of the trust. These people have contributed generously of their time and resources to enable projects and initiatives over many years. We'll be announcing these soon.
Previous Inductees
John Barrett (2023)
Business and community leader in travel & tourism industry
John has had a successful career in the travel and tourism industry as Chairman and co-founder of Kapiti Island Nature Tours, a whānau operated, multi award winning tourism business. He is also involved in countless local community groups including Chair of Raukawa Whanau Ora Ltd and a director of Te Wānanga o Raukawa Foundation.
Rex Kerr (2023)
Former principal, Te Reo advocate and historian
Rex is a former principal of the college who brought innovation and change to the school. He was an early advocate for the development of Māori Language, starting the bi-lingual unit in1985. It was an initial step for the now well established and widespread Māori medium kaupapa. He has been deeply involved with sport and rugby in particular. He is also a historian who has written five books about Ōtaki.
Jackie Sutton (2021)
Community and healthcare advocate
Working for 49 years at Ōtaki Medical Centre, Jackie has helped care for generations of local families. She became respected for her compassion, dedication and deep understanding of local people’s needs no matter who they are – helping others over and above their medical care. She is also involved with many community groups such as Friends of the Ōtaki River, Friends of the Rotunda and the Ōtaki Women’s Network.
Peter Housiaux (2021)
Business, community and lifetime surf lifesaving leader
Peter is the founder of innovative concrete specialists Concrete Doctors, building a reputation over many years as being experts in their field, and employing and providing opportunities for local people. Peter is a past President of the Otaki Canoe Polo Club and spent 10 years as the coach for the New Zealand Women’s Canoe Polo Squad, winning a World Championship Title in 2016. He is a member of the Otaki Surf Life Saving Club, still qualified as a surf lifesaver after 40 years.
Chris Parkin (2018)
Entrepreneur, businessman and arts patron
Chris is the former Museum Hotel owner, a former Wellington City Councillor and many other things. His generosity-of-spirit has few boundaries and, as a result, he does nothing by half. Whether it’s founding the Parkin Drawing Prize. Whether it’s relocating a 3000 tonne hotel on Wellington’s waterfront, or whether it’s riding a motorbike with his good mates around remote parts of the world.
David Pritchard (2018)
Property & construction developer and business leader
David Pritchard made significant contributions to the region through agriculture, horticulture, and property development. From his early days milking cows and growing berries to spearheading major subdivision projects and serving on national boards—including Housing New Zealand and Wellington Airport—David’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community upliftment have left a lasting mark.
