A Homecoming of Significance: Prime Minister Feleti Teo Returns to the College

St Andrew’s College was honoured to welcome one of its most distinguished Old Collegians, The Honourable Feleti Teo OBE (OC 1982), Prime Minister of Tuvalu, to the College on Wednesday 25 March as part of his official state visit to New Zealand.

Accompanied by his wife, Madame Tausaga Teo, and members of his delegation, the Prime Minister was welcomed by College leadership, former classmates, past staff, and students for a morning rich in ceremony, reflection and shared history.

The visit began with a formal arrival through the Papanui Road gates, led by Pipe Major Sam Foote (Year 13). The official group was welcomed at Strowan House by the Pipe Band’s stirring performance of The St Andrew’s March, which was followed by a Tuvaluan flag‑raising by the Head Prefects.

Prime Minister Teo was visibly moved as he greeted members of his Class of 1982 who had travelled from around the country to see him, and was brought to tears when he saw his “New Zealand parents”, former Housemasters John and Jill Irving.

Students played a central role throughout the morning. The Pasifika Group welcomed the delegation with beautiful singing, followed by a stirring Middle School haka as the delegation approached the Centennial Chapel, where the Preparatory School kapa haka also delivered a moving performance.

In his address, Prime Minister Teo reflected warmly on his years at St Andrew’s. He spoke of the values instilled during his time at the College and how they shaped his life and leadership. He also addressed the realities of climate change and its profound impact on Tuvalu.

The service concluded with the presentation of gifts, including a painting of Strowan House by Old Collegian, Kelvin McMillan (OC 1977), and time for the Prime Minister to reconnect privately with members of the Class of 1982, past staff and his former football coach Michael Glubb.

Prime Minister Teo arrived at St Andrew’s from Tuvalu in 1981 to complete his final two years of schooling, graduating as Dux, a school prefect and the top goal scorer for the 1st XI football team. He went on to the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws, and in 1986, became the first Tuvaluan to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. An illustrious career followed across Pacific‑wide organisations, including serving as Tuvalu’s first Attorney General and Head of Legal and Judicial Services from 1991 to 2000.

Feleti Teo became Prime Minister of Tuvalu in 2024 and follows in the footsteps of other notable Pacific leaders educated at St Andrew’s: Sir Toaripi Lauti (OC 1951), the first Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and Sir Ieremia Tabai (OC 1969), the first President of Kiribati.