Mark is well known and immensely respected within Taranaki education having worked in schools up and down the coast since he began his teaching career at Okato primary. During his two Principalships (8 years a piece at Opunake High and Spotswood College) he represented Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatu schools on the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council and was a local representative on the Taranaki Secondary Schools Sports Association. Mark chaired the Taranaki Secondary Schools Principals Association and was on the Taranaki Futures Board. He was a foundation board member of the Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre.
For his contribution to education Mark was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2021 New Year Honours. Since retiring in 2018, Mark has been engaged as an independent panel member for Principal appointments as well as a mentor for Principals and has held a role in the Taranaki office of the Ministry of Education. Mark and his wife Christine have three adult children and two grandchildren.
