All Black captain David Kirk with the Webb Ellis Cup at Eden Park 22 June 1987 Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library
Former All Blacks captain David Kirk is the new chair of New Zealand Rugby, with eight of the nine board members now confirmed.
NZR provincial unions and other voting members have ratified eight of the nine people put forward by the NZR appointments and remuneration panel.
The members who will take office in the New Year are Caren Rangi ONZM, Catherine Savage, Doug Jones, Grant Jarrold, Greg Barclay, Julia Raue, Kirk MBE (chair-elect) and fellow former All Black Keven Mealamu MNZM.
David Kirk Photo: Photosport
Rowena Davenport was the only nominee not ratified.
Kirk will leave his role as New Zealand Rugby Players Association president, and Doug Jones (New Zealand Māori Rugby Board) and Grant Jarrold (Crusaders) will will step down from those governance positions to meet requirements for NZR board members to be independent.
Panel chair Rachel Taulelei says they are pleased to have the eight members confirmed, but disappointed they didn't get the full compliment appointed.
"We are over the moon to have eight exceptional candidates ratified for appointment to the NZR Board," she said. "They are extremely capable, motivated and ready to start a new chapter for the organisation and game.
"The process has been challenging, but rewarding, and the result is testament to everyone's commitment to move forward positively,
"Our only disappointment is that Rowena Davenport's appointment was not ratified. Rowena has contributed an immense amount to the board and to the game, and we felt her skills and experience complemented the rest of the board well."
Former All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu is on the new NZR board. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Davenport joined the NZR board in April 2022. Before that, she was appointed Otago Rugby Football Union chair in 2019 - the first female chair of a major provincial rugby union in New Zealand - and following six years serving as a director on the Otago board.
She says she will continue to work hard for rugby in Aotearoa.
"While naturally I'm disappointed by the outcome," said Davenport, "I remain committed to the organisation and future of New Zealand rugby.
"I joined the board with great optimism and it's that perspective I take forward. The appointments panel ran an incredibly well-managed and robust process, and the eight ratified directors are outstanding.
"I'm excited for what they will bring to NZR, and have no doubt they will be able to pick up the mantle quickly and with great effect.
"As someone who has spent the past decade dedicated to inclusion and governance of rugby in New Zealand, I will continue to be involved with the game through the New Zealand Rugby Foundation Board, and as an avid supporter of both the community and professional games."
The panel has confirmed that a process will be run as soon as possible in early 2025 to appoint a ninth and final board member.
Kirk was immortalised as the first international rugby captain to hoist the Rugby World Cup, after leading the All Blacks to victory at the inaugural 1987 tournament in New Zealand.
He believes the board members will serve New Zealand rugby well.
"I am honoured and excited to be appointed to the board of NZR,"he said. "We have an excellent board and I look forward to the work ahead."
The NZR board is required to appoint a representative to the NZMRB. This will happen in the New Year, after consultation between the two boards.
NZR board candidates were selected by the panel after an extensive process and each appointment required majority support of NZR voting members - the 26 provincial unions and New Zealand Māori Rugby Board.
The new NZR board will take office no later than 1 February, with the existing board continuing in office in a caretaker role until it does.
Kirk should be formalised as chair at the board's first 2025 meeting.
