St Peters College is an integrated state secondary school in Gore, Southland, New Zealand.

Monsignor Finlay was the parish priest of Gore who inspired, and laboured unceasingly towards, the building of the college[4] and Bishop Pompallier was the founder of the Catholic Church in New Zealand.

The idea of a Catholic secondary school in Gore was that of long-serving parish priest (1947–1972), Father (later Monsignor) Finlay.

The 30-acre (12 hectare) site of the college was gradually purchased during the 1950s and 1960s and appeals were launched for funds in those decades for the construction of the school.

The "advance guard" of Rosminians, Father S Marriott and Brother J Tedesco arrived and they worked with the "central committee" on the fund-raising project.

At the time of his appointment he was Deputy Head at St Gregory's College, Huddersfield which was a co-educational school.

From the beginning of the project it was assumed that the Gore school would be boys-only but at the time of Father Hurdidge's appointment it was evident that it should be co-educational.

The name of the School, St Peter's, was adopted and it was agreed that it would be staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and the Rosminians.

The school chapel, built to an interesting and unusual design conducive to a prayerful atmosphere of peace and serenity, was opened in 1978.

He was in charge of St Paul's and his service to the wider community included being elected to the Gore Borough Council.