APPOINTED AND ELECTED Directors 2025
New Zealand Rugby League INC      

Background

Rugby league is a sport for all New Zealanders, played from the grassroots level to the international stage.  The sport is ‘More Than a Game’; it is part of our country’s social fabric and has a critical role in developing young men and women in our communities.

Through the ‘More Than a Game’ philosophy NZRL aspires to transform lives and community wellbeing through rugby league.

Underpinning this philosophy is ‘The Kiwi Way’ – our organisational ethos representing the culture instilled within all those involved in rugby league.

• We are diverse, we call New Zealand home and we are all Kiwis.
• We are inclusive, respectful and humble
• We are responsible
• We are innovative and courageous
• We are family first
• We live and play The Kiwi Way every day.

Our Goals

• Rugby league enjoyed by more people
• A financially sustainable NZ Game
• Women’s game thriving and enhanced opportunities for women in the game
• Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns inspirational & aspirational
• NZRL to be a model modern sports organisation.

The Board is currently undertaking a strategic review of More Than a Game to take NZRL through to 2029.

The Board comprises eight directors; four appointed, three elected and one permanent Director being the current Chair of Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League (ANZMRL).  Of the seven appointed or elected Directors, at least three must be Independent Directors and three must be Rugby League Knowledgeable. A Board Appointments Panel, comprising of one independent Sport NZ appointee, a representative appointed by the Members and two appointees by the NZRL Board, one of whom must be an Elected, Rugby League Knowledgeable Director, is convening this appointment process.

For more information on the organisation, please visit www.nzrl.co.nz.

Positions

The Panel is seeking applicants for two Appointed (Independent) Director and one Elected Director vacancies. The Elected Director is standing again for a second term.

All Board members need to: demonstrate governance knowledge and leadership, apply a future-focused mindset, understand confidentiality, contribute to highly functional board dynamics be able to work collaboratively within a high trust environment and have an understanding and appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Board is continually seeking to appoint people who bring diversity of thought and perspective to enhance board decision-making. Accordingly, the Board encourages applications from Women, Tangata Whenua, Pasifika, Other ethnicities, Individuals with a disability, the LGBTIQ community and provincially-based individuals.

Candidates who have the skill sets set out below and who can bring an element of diversity and strategic thinking to the current board mix will be looked upon favourably by the Appointments Panel.  As a qualifying partner organisation of Sport NZ, NZRL is required to have 40% self-identified women on its board and this requirement forms a key component in the selection process.

The desirable skill set and experience the Panel is looking for in the Appointed Directors include:

Appointed Director (vacancy 1)

• Experienced Director, ideally with commercial board exposure
• Understanding of the New Zealand sport funding landscape/governance network
• Strong network potential linked possibly to commercial experience and/or other sporting organisations
• Experience in fundraising through commercialisation of assets
• Connections to business and philanthropic networks
• Currency and connectivity to the wider sporting world, especially in high performance sport

The desirable skill set and experience the Panel is looking for in the Elected Director include:

Elected Director (vacancy 2)

• Zone, District, Affiliate or other Board governance experience is preferred
• A strong connection to the game of rugby league at an elite level, either through playing, administration, management, coaching or other roles within the sport
• Connections within sport at a governance level
• Team focused with strong interpersonal and communication skills

Please note that applications for the Elected Director need to be supported by a nomination letter from a NZRL member (Zone or Affiliate) and written acceptance of that nomination by the nominee.  Nomination letter templates are available if required.

Time commitment and term

As a guide, we expect an average time commitment around two days each month per Director.  Full day board meetings are held every six weeks in Auckland or via audio visual link.

We anticipate the roles starting immediately after the AGM which this year is being held on Saturday 28 June 2025.  Terms are four years and directors are eligible for re-appointment for one further term.

Remuneration
Directors fees are set at $10,000 per annum.

Interviews

All applicants should be available for interview by Zoom during the week of 26 May 2025.

To Apply

Applications for the Appointed Director vacancies should be emailed to:  jane.moore@nzrl.co.nz please or apply online at  https://www.appointbetterboards.co.nz/position/apt22242.

Applications incorporating a Zone/ANZMRL nomination by way of completion of a Zone/ANZMRL nomination form should be emailed to: jane.moore@nzrl.co.nz please or apply online at  https://www.appointbetterboards.co.nz/position/apt22242.  Applications must be accompanied by the nominee’s full CV and his or her acceptance of the Zone/ANZMRL nomination in writing.

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 16 May 2025.