The top academic students at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College for 2026 all have engineering in their sights for tertiary study.
Dux Mitchell Donald and joint proxime accessits Leroy Walker and Tristan Hayter have plans to head to either the University of Canterbury or Auckland University.
This year Mitchell studied classics, physics, biology, chemistry and English, and took calculus and history at Year 13 last year.
It’s leading him to a conjoint degree in science and math – a bachelor of engineering and mechanical engineering.
Alongside academic study he was a house leader and president of Zenith (the public speaking club).
He’s not crowing but he is the first Donald dux in his family with three high achieving sisters preceding him at the school – all now at university or about to finish studies.
This year Tristan studied chemistry, physics, statistics, outdoor education and French, enjoying language study as well as the sciences.
“It’s good, it’s different.”
His plans next year are also engineering at Canterbury.