NZR Appointments and Remuneration Panel confirms Board candidates for ratification

Statement shared on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Appointments and Remuneration Panel

The New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Appointments and Remuneration Panel has today confirmed the selection of nine candidates for the NZR Board.

The nine candidates are:

• Caren Rangi ONZM
• Catherine Savage
• David Kirk MBE
• Doug Jones
• Grant Jarrold
• Greg Barclay
• Keven Mealamu MNZM
• Julia Raue
• Rowena Davenport

The appointments are now required to be ratified by NZR’s voting members, the 26 Provincial Unions and New Zealand Māori Rugby Board. 

The Ratification ballot closes at 5pm on 17 December. Each appointment requires the support of a majority of the voting members to be ratified, with one vote per voting member. 

The Panel Chair, Rachel Taulelei said:

“The ARP has been privileged to review many exceptional applications, reflecting the depth of talent and commitment to the future of rugby in New Zealand.

We believe we have selected nine exceptional candidates and are confident our recommendations meet constitutional requirements, the requisite skills and needs, and the desire for both continuity and a fresh perspective. The Panel also gave particular attention to the mix of skills, experience and other attributes as we focused on assembling a Board that will operate effectively as a team at this critical juncture for rugby in New Zealand.

While this process has been challenging and not without immense scrutiny, we have at all times maintained complete independence and unanimity. We are delighted to have arrived at an excellent list of new Directors and are deeply optimistic for the future of rugby in New Zealand.”

The Board-elect met late last week and collectively agreed David Kirk would be the Chair-elect. It is intended that this will be formalised at the Board’s first meeting in 2025, and the Panel is extremely encouraged by this early sign of unity.

The new nine-person NZR Board is to take office no later than 1 February 2025, with the existing Board to continue in office in a caretaker role until that date.

-ENDS-

Note: No further comment will be made by the Panel or candidates until ratification process is complete. Media statement shared by New Zealand Rugby on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Appointments and Remuneration Panel.

NZR’s Constitutional Requirements for the Board: 

At all times: 

(a) at least one Board Member will have: 

(i) whakapapa Māori; 
(ii) Knowledge, understanding and lived experience of Te Ao Māori in a complex organisational context; and 
(iii) A desire to advance Te Ao Māori in rugby acknowledging the strong connection of tangata whenua to rugby; and 

the Appointments and Remuneration Panel will, in carrying out its role, consult with the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board in this regard; 

(b) at least one Board Member must identify and have lived experience as Pasifika with ancestral and authentic cultural connections and an ability to apply a Pasifika world view in a complex organisational context;

(c) the Board will comply with its gender diversity targets; 

(d) the Board must collectively have sufficient rugby knowledge and expertise relating to rugby at all levels of the game in New Zealand, including specific knowledge relating to the governance of community/provincial rugby. In order to satisfy this criterion, as it relates to community and provincial rugby, the Board must include at least three (3) members who have served on the board of a New Zealand Provincial Rugby Union or who have held an Executive Management Position in a New Zealand Provincial Rugby Union, and

(e) the requirements set out in subclauses 8.5(a) to (d) will be included in the Board Skills and Competencies Framework described at clause 8 of Schedule 9.

NZR’s Constitution can be found here.

Panel bios:

For full bios of the candidates please click here.

Caren Rangi ONZM
Caren Rangi is an experienced governance professional with a passion for community focused leadership. Caren is New Zealand-born Cook Islands Māori and has built her governance career across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Bio continues here.

Catherine Savage
Catherine Savage is an experienced business executive and governance leader and an incumbent member of the New Zealand Rugby Board. With over 30 years of experience in funds management, private equity, and governance roles, Catherine is committed to fostering strong leadership and sustainable growth across the organisations she serves. Bio continues here.

David Kirk MBE
David Kirk brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career across roles in governance, business, and rugby. David is the Chair and co-founder of Bailador Technology Investments, overseeing investments in high-growth information technology companies. He also serves as Chair of listed company KMD Brands, where he has guided the company’s transformation into a multi-brand outdoor apparel group and supported its achievement of B-Corp certification. David also holds leadership roles as Chair of Forsyth Barr and has previously served as Chair of Trade Me and The Hoyts Group. Bio continues here.

Doug Jones
Doug Jones (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Kahungunu) has extensive governance and executive experience, a deep understanding of Te Ao Māori, and a passion for rugby and community development. Doug is currently Chief Executive of Trust Tairāwhiti, where he leads regional economic development and tourism, and oversees major assets such as Eastland Generation, Eastland Port and Gisborne Airport. In this role, he has refreshed the organisation’s strategic direction and driven cultural and operational transformation. Bio continues here.

Grant Jarrold
Grant Jarrold is an experienced business professional and governance leader with a long track record in rugby administration and financial management. He has been a leading figure in New Zealand rugby, serving as Chair of the Crusaders since 2014 and as a board member of the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) for 18 years. Grant was also the CRFU chair in 2014. Bio continues here.

Greg Barclay
Greg Barclay is a lawyer and governance professional with extensive experience across commercial, legal, and sports sectors. A founding partner of Claymore Partners, a specialist commercial advisory firm, Greg has built a career combining strategic leadership and business acumen. He currently serves as Chair of several organisations, including Smartpay, Pacific Forest Products, and Boffa Miskell, where he has driven growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Bio continues here.

Julia Raue
Julia Raue is a professional independent director with extensive governance experience across a range of industries, including technology, retail, energy, health, logistics, and media. She has held governance roles with some of New Zealand's leading organisations and is known for her expertise in strategic change, business transformation, and fostering high-performance cultures. Bio continues here.

Keven Mealamu MNZM
Keven Mealamu is a respected business leader, community advocate, and former professional rugby player with experience in governance and stakeholder engagement. Since retiring from a 15-year professional rugby career in 2015, Keven has focused on fostering community well-being, business innovation, and sports governance. Bio continues here.

Rowena Davenport
Rowena Davenport is a professional director with a depth of governance and executive experience across financial services, legal, and sporting sectors. She is an incumbent director of the New Zealand Rugby Board and Chair of its People, Safety & Wellbeing Committee, where she oversees human resources, governance effectiveness, and health and safety initiatives. Rowena also serves on NZ Rugby's Risk, Investment & Audit Committee, providing financial oversight and risk management expertise. Bio continues here.