The Honourable Norman Kirk, Prime Minister of New Zealand, 1972-1974 opening St Peter's College on August 18, 1974. The Roman Catholic School was Palmerston North's fifth secondary school, and was blessed by the Archbishop of Wellington, the most Rev. R J Delargey. The school cost about $1 million and caters for 800 students from form one to seven. At the time of opening the school roll was about 700, comprising of pupils from two Catholic high schools and an intermediate school.