New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson and chair Dame Patsy Reddy Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A report has found New Zealand Rugby's constitution and governance structure is not fit for purpose.
An independent panel, commissioned jointly by NZR and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, released its report on Thursday.
The purpose of the review was to address a simple question: Is the constitution and governance structure of NZR fit for purpose to ensure the appointment of a board that has the required matrix of skills, experience and qualifications to govern effectively and confront the challenges, and maximise the opportunities, that present themselves?
The report concludes that the current NZR constitution and consequent governance structures are not fit for purpose in the modern era.
The panel is recommending two key changes: The creation of an independent process to ensure the appointment of an appropriately skilled, high performing board to govern the organisation and the creation of a Stakeholder Council to ensure the voices of stakeholders are heard and their interests represented in a collaborative forum.
New Zealand Rugby chair, Dame Patsy Reddy, said the NZR Board commissioned the review in December last year with the aim of ensuring that rugby is best placed for the future.
"On behalf of the NZR Board, I want to thank the panel for their extensive and detailed report and acknowledge all those who have contributed to the review through various consultation opportunities.
"NZR received the review today and the Board will now take time to digest it fully. We are committed to considering all recommendations. We will consult with our member unions and stakeholders on their views and next steps to deliver the best possible governance framework for rugby in Aotearoa New Zealand."
The independent panel reached its conclusions having consulted widely with rugby stakeholders and interested parties both in person and through a well-publicised submission process.
Review Panel chair David Pilkington said: "We have first ensured that all voices of the many stakeholders have been heard. We have travelled the country and listened. We have received and reviewed hundreds of submissions and interviewed nearly 200 people.
"New Zealand Rugby in the professional era is a large and complex business. The structure it sits within was not designed for a business of this size and complexity. There is widespread recognition that change is needed to address the many challenges. We are confident that what we propose is the best route forward. The conclusions are not novel, they exist and work in other organisations and environments.
"There have been a number of reviews in recent times and it is this panel's fervent hope that this is the last review of this type and that walk, finally replaces talk."
-RNZ