The NZRU is charged with fostering, developing, administering, promoting and representing the game of rugby in New Zealand. In every aspect, the NZRU works in partnership with New Zealand’s 26 Provincial Unions and many other rugby organisations.
Fostering rugby
The NZRU has a guiding hand in rugby at all levels, from the youngest players to the international stars of the All Blacks and our national teams. Fostering the game means ensuring that rugby continues to be enjoyed by players and spectators, throughout their lives and wherever they may live. If the game continues to be attractive and accessible to players and fans, the future of New Zealand rugby is more secure.
Developing rugby
As New Zealand society changes, the game of rugby must change with it. The NZRU works to put in place strategies, plans and programmes that will help rugby stay strong, sustainable and relevant. This work takes place at every level: in schools and clubs, at provincial level, at the professional level, in our national teams and in the All Blacks.
Administering rugby
The NZRU:
- selects and manages the All Blacks and seven other national teams: the Junior All Blacks and Black Ferns, New Zealand Under 21 and Under 19, New Zealand Sevens, New Zealand Maori and the New Zealand Heartland XV;
- employs New Zealand’s professional players, coaches and referees;
- organises New Zealand-based Test matches and other international fixtures, and supports the Provincial Unions that host these events, as well as contributing to the organisation of rugby matches and competitions held overseas;
- supports the 26 Provincial Unions, which in turn support more than 500 clubs throughout New Zealand, as well as the five professional Rebel Sport Super 14 Franchises: the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders;
- manages New Zealand’s two domestic competitions, the Air New Zealand Cup and the AA Rewards Heartland Championship, and contributes to the running of the Rebel Sport Super 14 competition in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa;
- provides training and educational resources to players, coaches, referees and administrators, whether new, up-and-coming or experienced;
- manages its financial resources in the best interests of New Zealand rugby and provides substantial funding to our Provincial Unions to support their teams and local rugby activities, including school and club rugby;
- manages the NZRU’s commercial obligations and opportunities, creating new revenue opportunities and working with sponsors to support their activities and promotional campaigns;
- monitors and enforces the regulations governing New Zealand rugby, including the Air New Zealand Cup salary cap, the movement of players between provinces, and the eligibility of overseas players;
- provides support to New Zealand’s teams, competitions and other rugby organisations in many specialised areas, including match analysis, injury research and prevention, ACC management, communications and media management, community rugby initiatives and children’s educational resources.
Promoting rugby
The NZRU promotes rugby in New Zealand as a safe and enjoyable sport for children, youth and adults. In addition to its importance to participants and supporters, rugby plays a major role in New Zealand’s tourism industry and general economic landscape, and today as much as at any time in our history, is a vital thread in the social fabric of the New Zealand community.
Representing rugby
The NZRU represents the wider New Zealand rugby community both locally and internationally. The NZRU Chairman and CEO represent New Zealand on the Board of the IRB and, along with other New Zealand rugby administrators, sit on various committees of the IRB, representing the interests of New Zealand, Pacific and southern hemisphere rugby at the highest level. In addition, the NZRU represents New Zealand in the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (known as FORU), the IRB’s regional association for the Pacific area.
Locally, the NZRU represents the interests of New Zealand rugby in relation to the Government, public agencies such as SPARC and ACC, and, in issues related to the national game, to the media and the New Zealand public.