Our vision is to re-imagine rugby to ensure positive outcomes for Māori through rugby.
The New Zealand Māori Rugby Board (NZMRB) was established as an incorporated society in June 2000, under its own Constitution.
As an affiliated member of NZR, the NZMRB hold two votes at the NZR AGM and are required to abide by NZR rules.
While NZR assembles and supports the Māori All Blacks, the NZMRB are responsible for the development of Māori rugby in New Zealand.
The Chair of the Board is New Zealand Rugby’s Māori Representative. The Board also comprises the Chair of each of the three Regional Māori Rugby Boards: Te Hiku O Te Ika (from Lake Taupō north), Te Tini a Maui (lower half of the North Island), and Te Waipounamu (South Island), three Appointed members; who are appointed by an appointments committee and are preferably recommended by one of the regional boards, and three Independent members .
Māori rugby at the provincial level is typically administered by an incorporated or unincorporated Māori committee that is affiliated to their province.
Professor Dame Farah Palmer (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato)
NZR Board Member, Māori Representative
Rob Clark (Waikato)
Chair, Te Hiku o te Ika Northern Region
Andre Baker (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa)
Chair, Te Tini a Māui Central Region
Dayveen Stephens (Waikato, Tainui)
Chair, Te Waipounamu Southern Region
Anne-Marie Jackson (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāphui, Ngātiwai, Ngāti Kahu, Te Roroa)
Arran Pene (Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Apakura)
Chair – Rugby sub-committee
Doug Jones (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Kahungunu)
Chair – Culture sub-committee
Merewaakana Kingi (Ngāti Awa)
Chair – Commercial sub-committee
Warren Alcock (Rongomaiwahine)
Jacob Ellison (Ngāi Tahu)
The following pou have been identified to drive us forward to 2025.
Build imminence within the NZR system, to achieve our cultural, social and commercial objectives.
To achieve this we will:
- Ensure diverse skills and knowledge within NZMRB and Regional Māori Boards.
- Implement a stakeholder partnership model to engage with iwi/Māori leadership.
- Increase strategic presence in NZR, as well as explore other opportunities for regional and global presence.
Develop opportunities for Māori in rugby to strive and achieve.
To achieve this we will:
- Provide quality events and innovative initiatives.
- Create transparent pathways to higher performance.
- Identify talent for all rugby roles.
- Realise the value of Māori and Māori rugby commercially and culturally.
Raise awareness of the importance of holistic wellbeing in and through rugby.
To achieve this we will:
- Transform rugby to be more welcoming for Māori.
- Ensure we have the structures/people to carry out wellbeing initiatives for Māori.
- Utilise Māori health and wellbeing models and frameworks.
- Encourage whakapapa and tikanga-centric initiatives across the system.
- Increase Māori presence in digital spaces and places.
Create opportunities and build capacity through rugby for our communities and people.
To achieve this we will:
- Develop opportunities to grow Māori leaders.
- Create transformative, whānau-focused and community initiatives.
- Identify strategic relationships and opportunities with wider Māori stakeholders.