Mark Davies (Attended 1980-1987)
Published August 2025
Mark Davies (1980-1987) started at Scots College in Form 1 and from those early days, his journey through the school was marked by deep involvement, enduring friendships, and a strong foundation that would carry him far beyond the classroom.
Growing up in Karori meant long commutes, two buses each way, including the number 12 trolley bus. “There were no parental pickups back then,” he laughs, “and no mobile phones – it certainly taught us self-reliance.” But the effort was worth it. At Scots, he immersed himself in school life, participating in nearly every sport available: football, rugby, tennis, cricket, athletics, squash, and cross country. “I was pretty competitive and was keen to give everything a go. The opportunities were all there and it just really wasn’t an option not to participate,” he says. Mark was a Prefect, House Captain of Aitken, Captain of Squash and represented the school in multiple sports.
He fondly remembers the friendships forged during those years – many of which remain strong today. “It was a formative time, and I count myself very lucky to have gone to Scots when I did because of the friendships I made.”
After Scots, he pursued a BA degree in psychology, criminology, and an LLB degree at Victoria University. He then spent a year at Cambridge University, where he earned a master’s degree, played rugby for the University, and gained a half-blue for rugby league, defeating Oxford in the annual Varsity match. “I thought I’d struggle to keep up with all the amazing minds from around the world,” he admits. “But as it turned out, I was fine.”
That experience reinforced his belief in the strength of New Zealand’s education system. “To me, my experience was a reflection on the quality of the education system we had back then. It is something I am very grateful for and hope New Zealand can get right again.”
Returning to Wellington, he joined the Crown Law Office, appearing in jury trials and appeal courts. One of his most formative experiences was serving as junior counsel in the high-profile Scott Watson murder case. “I was fortunate to work alongside some of New Zealand’s best trial lawyers,” he says, and appearing for the Crown in the appeal to the Privy Council was another highlight.
After five years working in criminal law, he moved to Sydney to get experience in commercial litigation, before returning to New Zealand to marry and settle in Auckland. He joined Meredith Connell, where he’s now a senior partner, having spent over two decades shaping the firm’s litigation practice.
Outside of work, sport remained a constant. He played premier club rugby for many years, although he says that his sporting pinnacle was paying for the Victoria University Teddy Bears (perhaps New Zeeland’s most infamous social rugby team). He kept fit by participating in multisport events like the Coast to Coast and running events, and played club cricket.
Now based in in Auckland, Mark is giving back through his roles as Chairman of the North Shore Cricket Club and as a First Class Code of Conduct Commissioner. He enjoys family life with his wife and two sons in Devonport. His eldest, Nick, is on an athletic scholarship at Stonehill College in the U.S., while his youngest, Ollie, is thriving at Westlake Boys as Sports Captain and a member of both the 1st XV and 1st XI. Mark is a member of the Westlake Boys Foundation.
Looking back, Mark emphasises the importance of friendships and role models. He still connects with some of his old school mates – John Aitken, David Lambie, Mark Vivian, David and Craig Gribble, and Craig Dingle – at least once a year for an annual golf trip. In terms of role models, one standout is his old housemaster Maurie Jackways. His group recently reconnected with Maurie over a round of golf. “It’s only when you get older that you realise how much certain people helped shape you. And Maurie was the same as ever – interested, interesting, and straight down the middle. Needless to say, he won the golf.”
His advice to young people is clear: “Make sure you do something that interests you. Everyone applying for a job with me has a law degree; that’s to be expected. But what makes a difference and helps you stand out is what you do outside of that.”
In a world increasingly shaped by AI, he believes the human dimension will become even more vital. “The ability to interact, relate, and communicate – those are the human skills that will matter most.”
He encourages students to explore knowledge for its own sake and resist the pressure to specialise too early. “Work hard in class but also on being a good person. Keep involved in a wide range of activities. Be curious and interesting and invest time in your friendships. Those are the things that will return the investment you make in them over the years.”
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