Mr Brian Keith Cunningham (B K Cunningham)
Hastings Boys' High School 1956 - 1960
Mr Cunningham attended Hastings Boys’ High School from 1956 - 1960. On leaving school he attended Victoria University of Wellington where he studied law. Working initially with Luke, Cunningham and Clere in 1963 as a Law Clerk while finishing his degree and becoming a partner in 1969.
B K Cunningham established a distinguished career in law, meticulous in nature, professional yet caring, treating his clients with the greatest of respect.
He joined the Army Territorial Force in 1966 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1967 attending to military legal matters during the 1970’s and when retiring in 1985 was a Company Commander with the rank of Major. BK re-enlisted with the army in 1997, appointed Director of Army Legal Studies with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 2005 he was appointed to the panel of Judge Advocates General of New Zealand Armed Services. A Judge Advocate is to a courts-martial what a judge is to a jury trial in the normal court system. Court-martials or military courts have powers that equate to those of the High Court sitting in its criminal jurisdiction, in fact, up until 1989, a Judge Advocate of a courts-martial was able to impose the death penalty and today, the highest punishment they can hand down is life imprisonment.
According to Brigadier Kevin Riorden, Defence Force General, BK Cunningham brought a common sense approach and wisdom of his long legal practice to military matters.
Brian was heavily involved and supportive of the Scouts movement, he steadfastly held to the Scout Promise by honouring God and Country with countless examples of helping others. He held executive positions within the Scouts and was one of its Trustees and Honorary Solicitor.
BK Cunningham was very proud and supportive of Hastings Boys’ High School attending all senior prizegivings and in 2010 presented the Year 13 Academic Awards. He was especially proud of his two nephews James and Fraser Cunningham both school prefects at Hastings Boys’ High school.
Since 2001 B K Cunningham Scholarships have been awarded to Year 9 students who show potential and these scholarships are recognised as the top scholarship within the school.
B K Cunningham died in 2011. His generosity to the school will not be forgotten. His significant endowment allowed for the building of the B K Cunningham Cricket Pavilion and the subsequent bequest from his Trust will ensure that B K Cunningham, a true gentleman and Great Akina Man will not be lost to history.
