A 130 Year Legacy
While on a trip to the Wānaka A&P Show, I sat down with Hamish Taylor, grandfather to Year 13 student Isla Taylor. Isla is the 28th member of her family to attend Rangi Ruru, and I was intrigued to learn about this relationship that spans five generations and more than 130 years of the school’s history.
The story begins in 1882 when Henry Webb, Hamish’s great-grandfather, commissioned renowned Canterbury architect Samuel Farr to design a three-quarter acre section on Papanui Rd. The house was later renamed Te Wepu, a Māori transliteration of Webb, and still stands today as a Heritage New Zealand Category 2 listed building.
The house itself is not the focus of this story, but its location is. In 1890, when a fire broke out at Te Wepu, the Webb family sought refuge across the road at the home of their neighbours, who were none other than the Gibson family.
This proximity is believed to be the thread that first weaved these two families together—with the first two Webb children enrolling at the Gibson sisters’ school, Rangi Ruru, in 1891. Interestingly, these were not daughters, but Henry Webb’s two sons, Rickards and Steffano.
Education and community service were clearly important to Henry. A committed supporter of his faith and education alike, he served on the Board of School Commissioners for 18 years, chaired the North Canterbury Board of Education, and was one of the original members of the Board of Governors for Canterbury College.
That spirit of service would continue through future generations. Hamish’s aunt, Betty Webb, became a devoted member of the Rangi Ruru community, serving on the Board of Governors for many years and holding both Secretary and President roles within the Rangi Ruru Old Girls’ Association.
The family’s involvement with Rangi Ruru continued with Hamish himself, who served on the Board of Governors for seven years. During his tenure, he helped establish the Rangi Ruru Foundation and oversaw the purchase of several key properties on Rhodes St and Hewitts Rd, helping secure space for the school’s future growth.
Reflecting on the family’s enduring connection to the school, Hamish is characteristically understated. “I am proud that my family have been involved for so long,” he says. “May it continue with another generation.”
Asked what distinguishes Rangi Ruru from other schools, Hamish points not first to facilities or reputation, but to the students themselves.
“I think the main reason is the girls,” he says. “They are treated as adults, not like at some other schools. They always seem to be a very happy bunch and continue to keep in touch with each other.”
He also credits the school’s broader culture for its enduring appeal.
“The academic record speaks for itself, along with sports, arts and music. The Boards and staff have always been approachable.”
For Hamish, sending his daughters Louise and Kate to Rangi Ruru felt like a natural continuation of family tradition. Their grandmother still lived nearby on Winchester St, meaning the girls could regularly visit after school.
Today, the connection continues with Isla. When the time came to choose a secondary school, the decision was left entirely to Isla. After visiting several options, it was Rangi Ruru, and particularly the boarding house, Te Whare Aroha o Rangi Ruru, that stood out.
“Deciding if Rangi Ruru was the right school for me was made easy when I came for my experience day,” she says. “I found that this place holds a unique way of welcoming in new people, especially in the boarding house, where my one-night stay convinced me that I could see myself living and thriving here for the rest of my high school years.”
Now in her final year, Isla says the sense of community has defined her experience.
“My time here at Rangi Ruru has flown by, and I can’t believe I’m in my final year already. What makes this place so special is the vibrant school culture that you are welcomed into when you join, with a community that provides support and uplift like nothing I’d really been a part of before.”
Like many boarders, some of Isla’s favourite memories are the quiet, day-to-day moments shared with friends.
“One of my favourite memories would have to be staying up late talking in the boarding house when I joined in Year 10. Having conversations with girls who become like sisters until long past lights out is something you can’t really beat.”
For Hamish, seeing Isla embrace the same school community that shaped earlier generations has been deeply meaningful. While the campus today bears little resemblance to the one first encountered by his ancestors more than a century ago, he believes they would recognise the spirit that continues to define the school.
“They would be astounded at the changes since they were there,” he says. “From virtually one building and a dozen pupils to the current campus and over 700 pupils.”
Across five generations, the school has evolved dramatically, yet the connection between one family and Rangi Ruru remains remarkably constant, shaped by the enduring relationships formed along the way.
Words by Ben Hogg
Head of Marketing and Communications
This article appeared in the Winter 2026 issue of the Rangi Ruru school magazine, Wide Sky. Read the full magazine here.