New Zealand Rugby League Inc

Rugby league has played a significant part in New Zealand sport for over 100 years. Formed in 1910, New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is the governing body for rugby league in Aotearoa New Zealand.

At its heart NZRL exists: “To transform lives and community Hauora through rugby league.”

Rugby League in Aotearoa is More Than a Game. It is a vehicle for connection, belonging, identity and wellbeing across communities. Guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori, NZRL operates with a strong cultural foundation grounded in:

• Kotahitanga – United as One Whānau
• Manaakitanga – Respectful and Inclusive
• Kia Pono – Acting with Trust and Integrity
• Te Pae Kahurangi – Striving for Innovation and Excellence

These values shape how we lead, how we serve and how we honour our communities. We are more than a sport, we are a movement deeply connected to the lives of our people and the communities we serve, played from the grassroots level to the international stage.

In 2025, NZRL developed a new strategic direction and envisioned future to guide the organisation forward to 2030. ‘More Than A Game’ is at the centre of this strategy.

Our Goals are anchored in four Pou:

• Pou Tūhono – The joining of peoples with purpose: More people participate in our game
• Pou Tūturu – To be authentic: The way we play our game and win enhances mana
• Pou Tupo – To grow, increase: Aotearoa and international fans are connected with game
• Pou Hauora - Health, wellbeing and vitality: Individuals and communities increase their hauora

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

Appointed Director (Two vacancies)

• 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 (One vacancy)

• 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 must 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.

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 with eight meetings a year.

Terms are four years and directors are eligible for re-appointment for one further term.

We anticipate the roles starting immediately after the AGM which this year is being held on Saturday 27 June 2026.

Applications for the Appointed Director vacancies should be emailed to: jane.moore@nzrl.co.nz  please. Please include a full CV with your application.

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. Applications must be accompanied by the nominee's full CV and their acceptance of the Zone/ANZMRL nomination in writing.

Applicants should be available for interview by Zoom during the last two weeks of May.

The closing date of applications is 5:00pm on Friday 15 May 2026.