New Zealand's game development industry is experiencing rapid growth, recently surpassing NZD 1 billion in annual revenue and becoming one of the country's fastest-growing creative technology sectors. As demand for skilled talent continues to rise, innovative partnerships between education and industry are helping prepare the next generation for careers in game development. Westlake Boys High School is leading the way in digital education with its new Game Development Academy, one of the first programmes of its kind in a New Zealand secondary school.
Originally launched in 2025 as an after-school pilot programme, the academy attracted strong interest from students, with more than 130 registrations and 27 students selected for the inaugural cohort. Following the success of the pilot, the programme has now been incorporated into the school's official curriculum as a Year 13 subject, marking a significant milestone for both the school and the wider game development sector. The move reflects both strong student demand and the growing importance of digital creative industries, while creating a direct pathway for students to develop industry-relevant skills within their secondary education.
The partnership grew from an ongoing relationship between Westlake Boys High School and Mytona, which has supported local students through industry engagement initiatives and opportunities to connect with professionals working in game development. The Game Development Academy represents the next step in that collaboration, helping create a pathway from the classroom into one of New Zealand's most dynamic technology sectors. Developed in partnership with global game developer Mytona, the course gives students access to an industry leader based on Auckland’s North Shore. Through guest lectures, mentorship, office visits, and direct interaction with Mytona professionals, students gain valuable industry exposure and a deeper understanding of the skills and career pathways available within game development. The course combines Level 3 digital technologies and business studies courses, giving students the opportunity to design, build and market their own games using industry tools such as Unity and Blender. From concept through to completion, students develop both technical and creative skills, producing interactive games for real audiences.
Sasha Baisheva, Director of Global Operations at Mytona, said the company sees supporting future talent as an important part of its role in New Zealand’s game development ecosystem. “Alongside creating games enjoyed by millions of players around the world, we believe it is important to share knowledge and support the next generation of developers. What impressed us most about Westlake Boys High School was the enthusiasm and initiative shown by both students and teachers. We are proud to support a programme that gives young people practical experience, develops valuable skills, and helps them explore career opportunities in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing creative industries.”
Year 13 student Alex Liang is currently developing an arcade-style game, Overtake!, where players navigate traffic and aim to travel as far as possible without crashing. “The course gives us the time to experiment and develop ideas properly,” Alex says. “Building game mechanics from scratch feels very similar to how developers work in the industry.” The programme also places a strong focus on project management and entrepreneurship, with students required to create marketing plans and consider how their games would be positioned in a competitive global market. “If you love building things, solving problems, and collaborating with like-minded people, this course is a must. For me, or anyone else who genuinely enjoys digital technology, it’s an incredibly rewarding and fun space to be in,” says Alex.
Headmaster Paul Fordham is excited about the evolution of the programme. “Education has a responsibility to serve the needs of young people and prepare them for future industries, and with this, schools and other education providers need to evolve and adapt to meet these ever-changing needs. The game development industry is fast-growing, and to have a platform for students to develop the skills and attributes that will set them up for engagement with this feels like the right thing to be doing. We are thankful for Mytona’s partnership and are excited about the evolution of this programme.”
Rowing whānau gather to open new boathouse
We welcomed our Westlake rowing whānau to their new home at the Upper Waitematā Marine Centre in Hobsonville on Saturday 20 June. The open afternoon gave friends and families, who have been part of Westlake rowing over the years, the opportunity to view the new Andrew Whānau Boathouse and reconnect with the programme. Our Te Puna students led the mihi and karakia, before guests were invited through the rowing shed and upstairs to the function space.
Headmaster Paul Fordham and director of rowing Jo Shotter acknowledged the work of Mike Stanley, Aaron Andrew and Terry Zouch in bringing the project to life, presenting them with an oar and pounamu in recognition of their contribution. It was a fantastic event, and it was great to see so many Westlakers past and present come together to celebrate this significant milestone for rowing at Westlake Boys.
Choirs win awards at Big Sing Festival
Our three choirs, Momentum, Voicemale and Choralation (combined with Westlake Girls High School) performed at the annual Big Sing festival in the Auckland Town Hall. Choralation was awarded Best Mixed Voice Choir, while Voicemale took out Best Lower Voice Choir.
Adding to the celebration, senior prefect Hugh Reid was the only student in New Zealand to receive a Highly Commended award in the 2026 NZCF–SOUNZ Choral Composition. Voicemale and Choralation have been invited to the national finale of the Big Sing festival in Christchurch.
Hockey prems retain Worner Shield
Over the school holidays, the Westlake Boys High School Premier hockey team travelled to Timaru to defend the prestigious Worner Shield. The campaign began with a 4–0 win over Christ’s College before a 2–0 loss to Timaru Boys’ High School left the title race in the balance. Heading into the final match against St Bede’s, Westlake needed a big win to retain the shield. The boys responded in style, racing to a 6–0 halftime lead before completing a dominant 9–0 victory. The result was enough to secure the Worner Shield for another year, with the team showing great resilience and composure when it mattered most.
Cyclists hit top gear
Westlake cyclists enjoyed an outstanding term break, claiming the Top Boys’ School title at the North Island Road Cycling Championships. The team produced strong results across several age groups, with Ethan Rawson winning the U16 road race and Ashton Sinclair taking out both the U17 road race and criterium. Marcus Hilder also impressed, finishing second in the U19 road race.
In the team events, Westlake won the Junior Team Time Trial and placed third in the Senior Team Time Trial, while also picking up several podium finishes in the B Grade criterium races. After a review of the points standings, Westlake was confirmed as Top Boys’ School, finishing just one point ahead of Auckland Grammar School.
