From how he approached his relationships to his discipline at work, he believes his school years affected it all.
The sports journalist and America’s Cup broadcaster was one of five former King’s High School pupils inducted to the school’s Wall of Fame yesterday.
He said the values and wisdom he learned at school did not come into full effect until about 30 years after he had left.
He may have forgotten the specifics of his lessons, but what the respect and discipline instilled in him had helped shape his entire outlook on life.
The formative years he spent at school cast a "long shadow" over his life which he did not expect.
Much had changed since his time there as well.
Pupils had to take compulsory military training and rule breakers were caned.
The performing arts centre in which yesterday’s ceremony took place did not exist when he was a pupil either, he said.
Although he was now an active user of social media, he could not imagine what it would be like to grow up with that level of communication.
After the ceremony the pupils performed a haka for the guests.
Other former pupils inducted in the ceremony included Otago Rescue Helicopter founder Ross Black, heart surgery pioneer Ken Graham, former Black Cap Brendon McCullum and New Zealand ambassador to Italy Anthony Simpson.
