New Zealand Rugby Union

New Zealand Rugby Union

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) (formerly the New Zealand Rugby Football Union) is the governing body of rugby union in New Zealand, it was founded in 1892, 12 years after the first Provincial Unions in New Zealand, and in 1949, became an affiliate to the International Rugby Board, the governing body of Rugby Union for the world. The Union's main objectives, as displayed in the NZRU Constitution is to, promote and develop rugby throughout New Zealand; arrange and participate in international, trial and other rugby matches and tours in New Zealand and Overseas; represent New Zealand on the International Rugby Board; form and manage NZ representative teams; and encourage participation in, and support for, rugby players and supporters at all levels of the game. NZRU Headquarters are located in Wellington, New Zealand.

There are currently 11 NZRU Board Members, President, John Sturgeon, was elected in 2009, who received the position from Andy Leslie in 2009. Steve Tew is the current Chief Executive and Sir Wilson Whineray is the current Patron.

The NZRU currently have eight representative teams, while the New Zealand Maori rugby union team was postponed for the 2009 Pacific Nations Cup, replaced by the Junior All Blacks, with NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew stating "while the long-term view was that the New Zealand Maori team was the best fit for the Pacific Nations Cup, the development of the top level of players as a pathway to the All Blacks was a more urgent priority in 2009