Pacific pair named on NZR Board

All Blacks legend Keven Mealamu MNZM and independent board chair Caren Rangi ONZM have been officially announced as members of the New Zealand Rugby Board.

The announcement was made by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) on Monday.

The NZR's Appointments and Remuneration Panel (ARP) confirmed the selection of nine candidates for the board.

The candidates include Catherine Savage, David Kirk MBE, Doug Jones, Grant Jarrold, Greg Barclay, Julia Raue, Rowena Davenport, Rangi, a Cook Islands accountant and former public servant, and Mealamu, the grandson of Sāmoan immigrants.

According to NZR's statement, the appointments must now be ratified by its voting members, which consist of the 26 Provincial Unions and the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board.

The ratification ballot closes at 5pm on 17 December.

Rachel Taulelei, chair of NZR's Appointments and Remuneration Panel, says many exceptional applications were considered, showcasing the depth of talent and commitment to the future of rugby in NZ. Photo/blackenz.org

The NZR said each appointment requires a majority vote from the voting members to be officially ratified, with one vote per voting member allocated per voting member.

Panel chair Rachel Taulelei said the ARP thoroughly reviewed the candidates.

"The ARP has been privileged to review many exceptional applications, reflecting the depth of talent and commitment to the future of rugby in New Zealand," she said.

"We believe we have selected nine exceptional candidates and are confident our recommendations meet constitutional requirements, the requisite skills and needs, and the desire for both continuity and a fresh perspective."

Taulelei emphasised the careful consideration given to the mix of skills, experience, and other attributes, aiming to assemble a board capable of functioning effectively as a team during this critical time for rugby in New Zealand.

"The panel gave particular attention to the mix of skills, experience and other attributes as we focused on assembling a board that will operate effectively as a team at this critical juncture for rugby in New Zealand.

Former All Blacks captain David Kirk has been endorsed as the board chair-elect. Photos/supplied

"While this process has been challenging and not without immense scrutiny, we have at all times maintained complete independence and unanimity.

"We are delighted to have arrived at an excellent list of new directors and are deeply optimistic for the future of rugby in New Zealand.”

The board-elect met late last week and collectively endorsed Kirk, a former All Blacks captain who led the team to victory in the inaugural Rugby World Cup at home in 1987, as the chair-elect.

This decision will be formalised at the board’s first meeting in 2025.

The NZR said the panel was "extremely" encouraged by this early sign of unity.

"The new nine-person NZR Board is to take office no later than 1 February 2025, with the existing Board to continue in office in a caretaker role until that date."

Pasifika advisory member resigned

Earlier this year, Pakilau Manase Lua resigned as a member of NZ Rugby's Pasifika advisory group after criticising NZR for not including a Pacific person on the board.

He said at the time that the NZR's Pasifika strategy was only for show.

The NZR responded acknowledging the huge contribution of Pasifika on the field and recognising "that this is not reflected in equitable representation across non-playing roles, including governance".