Two artworks put up for auction by Nelson College have been bought by a group of old boys.
Fifteen works were auctioned on Wednesday night in Wellington - raising more than $140,000.
The money will go towards a capital endowment fund.
The old boys paid $26,000 and $18,000 respectively for the portraits of two former students: nuclear physicist Lord Rutherford, and Victoria Cross recipient Leonard Trent.
A spokesperson for the group says they will be restored and returned to the college; they will never be sold again.
Nelson College is the oldest state school in New Zealand.
