Paul Aubin (historian)

Paul E. Aubin is a Dunedinite with a distinguished background in history who considers Dunedin "the best place in New Zealand".

His parents moved from Christchurch to Dunedin in 1936. Paul was born soon after, but had no siblings. His father, E. Allan Aubin, was illustrations editor at the Otago Daily Times (and was eventually Editor from 1961-1976). They lived from about 1941 at 46 Royal Terrace, the former chauffeur's house at Olveston (rented for 30 shillings a week), which is still Paul's favourite building.

Education
Dunedin Normal School (Union Street, not George Street), Otago Boys' High School (Class of 1953, while his father was President of the Parents' Association), and the University of Otago (M.A. with honours in History).

In Paul's final year at OBHS he was the very first listed pupil in the school roll in the magazine. He was on the Hockey Committee and a member of its First Eleven, was cadets R.S.M. (winning the contest for best N.C.O in Area 11 in September and winning the Burt Bowl in November), and was a Deputy Prefect along with G G Chisman (who was on the Athletics Committee and a cadets platoon commander), A J C Duff (who was on the Baths Committee and the cadets Medical Platoon Sergeant), J K Hill (who was on the Magazine Committee and the Orchestra Leader and a cadets platoon commander), D G Robertson (who was a cadets platoon commander), and K A Wing (who was Rugby Football Captain and committee member and was Cricket Vice-Captain). Paul won the 6th Form History and Geography prize and took the English prize which would have gone to dux Oliver Nees but for the fact that duxes' subject-prizes traditionally went to the next-best candidate. Paul had a page-long story called "Embarrassment" published in the magazine.

Teaching
Paul moved to London, living in Chiswick and teaching at grammar schools. Returning to New Zealand, married with two sons, he taught at King's High School.

In his "retirement" he has continued teaching, conducting guided historical tours around his favourite areas north of the city centre. He has also been an archivist for the Regent Theatre and St Hilda's Collegiate School.