Shortly after graduating from Wakatipu High School, Chief Petty Officer Hydrographic System Technician George Forrest (class of 2012) joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in September 11, 2013. He was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to reflect on how his time at WHS helped shape his military career. 

Q: What made you decide to enlist?

"I’ve always had a strong connection to the ocean. Growing up, I spent a lot of time on my father’s 30-foot yacht, sailing around the Pacific Islands. The raw power of mother nature hooked me early—it was something I couldn’t get enough of. Then in Year 12, the WHS Careers Advisor told me about an opportunity to spend a week with the Royal New Zealand Navy, essentially doing work experience. I applied and I was lucky enough to get accepted. I was flown up to Auckland for the week and put through my paces. I loved it! From that point on, I was all in. It confirmed for me that there was nothing else I wanted to do."

Q: What is a significant lesson you learned from your time in the armed forces?

"One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned in the RNZN is resilience—and that it can be trained. From day one in the New Zealand Defence Force, resilience is instilled into you. As soon as you come through the gates, you’re under pressure: being pushed physically and mentally, shouted at, and expected to perform. Looking back, those instructors weren’t acting that way because they didn’t like us—it was deliberate. It was about starting the process of building resilience: breaking you down and stripping your mindset back to basics so you can be rebuilt into a stronger, more capable sailor. That process doesn’t stop at basic training, or even within the Navy. Time and again, I’ve found that when I push myself outside my comfort zone and face physical and mental challenges, I’m strengthening that resilience. Every difficult experience adds to what I think of as a “store” of resilience. Because of that, when challenges come up in life now, they feel far more manageable. The resilience I’ve built through training and experience means things that once might have seemed overwhelming are now something I can handle and move through."

Q: What impact did your time at WHS have on your military career?

"To be honest, I wasn’t exactly a model student at WHS—I pushed boundaries and many teachers dreaded having me in their class. But looking back, that time still set me up well for the Navy. Wakatipu High School was where I first learned about consequences, accountability, and being part of something bigger than myself, even if I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time. The structure of the school, along with strong role models among the teachers, helped build resilience and a work ethic that I’ve carried into my career in the RNZN.

I also learned a lot through mates, sport, and everyday school life—particularly my time in the First XV. That experience reinforced the importance of teamwork, discipline, and backing the people alongside you. Learning to get on with people from different backgrounds and work towards a common goal has proven just as important as anything technical in the military."

Q: What did you learn from your time at WHS (that had nothing to do with academics)?

"A significant lesson I learned at WHS was work ethic. I wasn’t naturally disciplined at school, and I definitely had to learn the hard way that nothing really comes without putting the effort in. Through school—whether it was in the classroom, sport, or just being held to account by teachers—I started to understand the importance of turning up, putting in consistent effort, and following things through. It wasn’t something that clicked overnight, but over time it started to stick."

Q: How did WHS help you grow as a leader?

"Wakatipu High School has always had world-class teachers, and there were definitely a few who had a strong influence on me, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. One that stands out is Mr Drew, who helped me achieve a Merit Endorsement in PE. To some, that might seem like a small achievement, but it meant a lot to me. What stood out most was the respect he showed. He took the time to genuinely care about each individual student and mentored them in a way that worked for them. That had a big impact on me. Looking back, I think teaching and leadership are very similar. Being an effective leader starts with respect and care for your people—understanding them, backing them, and helping them reach their potential. That’s something I’ve carried with me into my career in the RNZN."

Q: How do you see WHS's values — Excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, and Inclusion — reflected in your military service?

"Those values line up pretty directly with what’s expected in the RNZN. Excellence shows up in doing your job properly, even when no one is looking – owning your world. Respect, as I mentioned before, is huge—rank matters yes, but its how you treat the people matters more. Responsibility is non-negotiable; your team and your unit demands that you get things right, even in high pressure environments. Resilience is probably the most obvious one. You’re constantly pushed outside your comfort zone, and you learn to keep going regardless. Whether you’re tired, hungry, sore, frustrated.. It doesn’t matter, you put one foot in front of the other for yourself and for those around you. Inclusion also plays a big part—on a ship you’re working, sleeping, eating and adventuring with people from all sorts of backgrounds, and you have to be able to get on, work together, and trust each other."

Q: What advice would you give to current WHS students?

"Don’t worry too much if you haven’t got everything figured out yet—I didn’t. What matters more is building habits now. Turning up, putting in effort, and learning to push through when things get tough. Take opportunities when they come up, even if you’re not sure about them. The week I spent with the Navy in Year 12 ended up shaping my whole career, and I almost didn’t do it.

Also, don’t underestimate the small things and basics—how you treat people, how you handle pressure, and how consistent you are. Those things matter more later on than you probably think."

Q: What advice would you give to WHS alumni?

"Stay open to change and don’t get too comfortable. Some of the best decisions I’ve made have been the ones that pushed me outside what felt familiar.

Also, stay connected. I still really value the mates I made at WHS—we catch up whenever I’m back in Queenstown, and it’s like no time has passed. There’s always a temptation to move on and leave that part of your life behind, but in my experience, the friendships you build when you’re young are some of the strongest you’ll ever have."

Ngā mihi nui, CPOHST George Forrest, for your service and for sharing your reflections with our Alumni Community.

Instructing Small Boat Surf Negotiation Training at Piha Beach.

"Conducting Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Operations in support of the White Island Disaster Response. This photo was two days after the deadly eruption. Toxic gas levels around the island were still high and as such, we were required to don Gas Masks and Chemical Once Only Suits for protection."

"A photo taken of me during a resilience-based survival course called 'Aumungea'. This particular photo was on day 24 of the 30 day course during an serial named 'The Green Mile', where course volunteers were required to walk up and down Farewell Spit for 25 hours straight, carrying a 30kg pack and a rifle always at the ready. Course volunteers were not told when the serial would end and were only given one banana during entire 25 hour period."

Standing on the bow of a US Navy Vessel during operations in the Middle East.

Graduation of Mine Warfare Officers Course at HMAS Waterhen. Receiving the Warfare Community Medallion for outstanding display of Navy Values.

CPOHST George Forrest in high school.