NZ Rugby
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Who we are

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is one of New Zealand's largest sports organisations, with a team committed to ensuring that our national game is run smoothly and effectively at all levels, all over New Zealand.

Our Vision

Inspiring and Unifying through rugby.

It’s our goal to be a world-leading sports organisation, helping all of rugby to be the best it can be.

We lead, support, grow and promote New Zealand's game, striving for rugby teams in black that are unrivalled, a high-performance system that produces the world’s best talent, competitions that fans love, and a community game at the heart of the sport that is strong.

We are committed to New Zealand rugby being financially secure, attracting top partners and contributing actively to the global game.

Our Executive Team

NZR is made up of seven teams: Professional Rugby and Performance, Community Rugby, Commercial, Technology, People, Safety and Wellbeing, Corporate Services and All Blacks and is headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is supported by an Executive Team (known as 'The Exec'), Leadership Team and other management.

The Exec, as people leaders, are responsible for the day to day running of NZR, while the CEO is ultimately responsible for ensuring that NZR's strategy is implemented and that the organisation achieves its objectives. The CEO and Exec work closely with the NZR Board and provide a link between staff and the Board.

Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Mark Robinson took up the role of CEO in January 2020. Prior to this he served on the NZR Board for seven years and was NZR's delegate to World Rugby. During a rugby career that spanned the amateur and professional era, Mark played nine Tests for the All Blacks between 2000-2002 and also played in the United Kingdom and Japan. Mark was CEO of Taranaki Rugby from 2007-2012 and has worked in consultancy in the areas of education, environment, energy and agriculture. He holds degrees from the universities of Victoria (Wellington) and Cambridge.
Toni Grimshaw

Toni Grimshaw

Chief People Safety & Wellbeing Officer

View Toni Grimshaw's LinkedIn profile

Toni is an experienced leader with experience right across the People, Safety and Wellbeing remit. She has worked across large and complex public and private organisations in New Zealand and the UK, including ANZCO Foods and the Ministry of Justice. Prior to joining NZR, Toni was the Chief People Officer at Te Tari Ture o te Karauna Crown Law.

Toni is responsible for leading People, Safety and Wellbeing services across our national teams, community and professional rugby and across NZR, NZRC and their respective Boards.

The People, Safety and Wellbeing group covers:

·       People and capability

·       Health and safety

·       Injury Management

·       Medical delivery, governance and research and evaluation

·       Mental health and wellbeing

·       Culture, diversity and inclusion
Steve Lancaster1

Steve Lancaster

GM Community Rugby

Steve Lancaster has led Community Rugby in New Zealand since 2016. Steve is responsible for managing the relationships between NZR and Provincial Unions to improve experiences and opportunities for all participants. Under his leadership, NZR has introduced significant developments to the domestic game, most recently through Game On and Rip Rugby. The former Crusaders lock has been involved in sports administration for over 20 years, including High Performance roles at NZR, Crusaders, Rugby Canada and Netball New Zealand.
Chris Lendrum web

Chris Lendrum

GM Professional Rugby & Performance

Chris Lendrum brings a wealth of experience to the Professional Rugby and Performance portfolio, having held numerous roles within NZR since 2009 as well as RSO governance experience. Chris holds a Bachelors of Law (Honours) and Arts. He has led multiple successful individual and Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) renegotiations over many years. Chris is responsible for managing key professional rugby stakeholder relationships including NZRPA, professional players and staff and Super Rugby Clubs, as well as overall leadership for NZR's national team programmes and professional rugby competitions.
Jo Perez web v2

Jo Perez

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Jo is an experienced senior leader across both public and private sectors.

Prior to NZR, Jo was Deputy CE Finance, Planning and Assurance at Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections and held executive leadership roles at Trade Me and Merck & Co.  Previously Jo held commercial and financial leadership roles at AXA NZ, Spark and KPMG leading teams through diverse business environments and cycles.

At NZR Jo leads the Corporate Services business unit responsible for the Group Finance, Legal, Strategy, Planning and Performance functions across NZR and NZRC and their respective Boards.
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Paul Stevens

Chief Communications Officer

Paul Stevens has held several communications roles at NZR across two stints with the organisation, most notably as the Head of Communications and Campaigns since 2021. Paul is responsible for the Communications function, focusing on enhancing the organisation's reputation across national teams, community and professional rugby, commercial ventures, and with the Executive Team and Board.

With extensive experience in marketing and communications, he has worked across various sectors including non-profits, public sector, and sports organisations. 

Paul holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Bachelor of Sport & Recreation (Management), a Master of Communications (First Class Honours) and is a member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand.