Regional referee squads announced

A revamped regional referee squad programme has been announced today, featuring 82 of the country’s top and emerging referees split across five regional squads.

The announcement of the squads is in line with the launch of the High Performance Referee strategy and the 2025 community referee framework.

New Zealand Rugby’s High Performance Referee Manager, Chris Pollock, said the introduction of the two initiatives creates a unified pathway for developing match officials.

“Together, these initiatives will provide the opportunity to position New Zealand Rugby as world leaders in the way the game is officiated.”

The top 14 referees in the country have also been named in the newly formed New Zealand Performance Referee Squad, as well as the regional squads, and will be responsible for officiating all DHL Super Rugby Pacific, Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, and Bunnings Warehouse NPC matches.

“We are very clear that we want our system to allow players and coaches to showcase their skills. We need to develop our referees in a way that helps grow our players and coaches while creating great competitions through how we officiate and appoint match officials,” Pollock said.

The development of a community referee framework will introduce clear standards for progression in the community game, ultimately preparing match officials for selection into regional development squads.

New Zealand Rugby’s Game Development Manager – Referees, Matt Peters, said the alignment will have benefits across the game.

“The framework means that referees throughout the country will have access to the same bank of resources, the same coaching and review processes which gives them a clear understanding of how to progress,” said Peters.

Regional development referees will officiate Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings, Bunnings Heartland Championship, provincial union development, age group, and leading 1st XV competitions.

The five squads will gather up to three times a year for regional development workshops, with a top referee coach leading each group.

The 82 referees represent 16 provincial unions, with the Blues region having the largest contingent at 20 members. There are 15 women in the group, including two new additions in Otago’s Elisabeth Hutton-Neill and Amy Eason.

Nine referees have international experience, including six currently officiating at the highest level in XVs. Additionally, Tiana Anderson, Chloe Sampson, and Nick Hogan are currently refereeing on the HSBC SVNS Series.

Referee squads (bold indicates Performance Squad members)

Blues Region 
Ben O’Keeffe, Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle, Todd Petrie, Natarsha Ganley, Maggie Cogger-Orr, Scott McKenzie, Sam Adam, Nathan Chestnut, Kyle Lagerwall, Tim Olliff, Ollie Hadfield, Tomas Roche, Leo Palmer, Travis Larsen, Dion Aho, Hannah Russell, Adam Palmer, Caleb Greaves, Ben Mclauchlan 
Regional Lead – Chris Morgan

Chiefs Region
Paul Williams, Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert, Ben Woolerton, Tiana Anderson, Will Johnston, Andy Morton, Ben Brownlie, Brandon Roberts, Chloe Sampson, Kaitlin Bates, Sam Fellows, Liam Sargent, Estelle Whaiapu, Matt Astle, Neco Blanc, Sean Curragh, Nick Hogan
Regional Lead – Rob Parkes

Hurricanes Region
Dan Waenga, Stu Curran, Jono Bredin, Stu Catley, Krysten Cottrell, Jacob Booth, Matt McEwen, Matt Thomas, Charlie Harris, Ethan Loveridge, Warwick Price, Sam Couper, Claire Richardson, Matt Perry, Nathan Pinder 
Regional Lead(s) – Brent Murray and Brian Robertson

Crusaders Region
Jackson Henshaw, Dan Moore, Ben Alexander, Taneika Uerata, Josh Edmonds, Chris Paul, Josh Rooney, Will Todd, Karl Hancox, Will Day, John Whitcombe, Damon Smith, Andrew Matthews 
Regional Lead – Kane McBride

Highlanders Region
James Doleman, Fraser Hannon, Cassie Watt, Georgia Mason, Erin Doherty, Caleb Neilson,  Logan Whitty, Josh Hamill, Michael Buttery, Jackson Brierly, Jared Fox, Elisabeth Hutton-Neill, Amy Eason, Craig Anderson, Sam Nicholson, Kieran Eathorne
Regional Lead – Jim Thomson