New Zealand finalises the board make-up

NEWS: New Zealand Rugby's voting members have ratified Marise James to take up the final position on the Board.

The NZR appointments and remuneration committee put James forward for ratification at the beginning of March.

Ratification required majority approval from NZR's voting members, consisting of the 26 Provincial Unions and the NZ Māori Rugby Board.

The ratification postal ballot closed last Wednesday, March 12.

James has extensive governance experience within and beyond rugby.

A Chartered Accountant, she served eight years as a director of Taranaki Rugby Union where she chaired the audit and risk committee.

She has held governance roles of accountancy firm Staples Rodway, banks, as well as other roles in the finance, insurance and primary industries.

"We are very pleased with Marise's ratification," NZR Chairman David Kirk said.

"Her financial nous and deep understanding of the provincial game will be a great complement to existing skillsets and expertise on the board.

"Her appointment completes the Board, and I am looking forward to us working together in the best interests of the game."

James said: "I'm pretty excited about this new role.

"There are a lot of challenges ahead for NZR but the new Board looks like a very experienced group of governors and I am looking forward to working with them all to overcome these and ensure that it once again becomes the game we are all proud to be involved with."

James joins the eight board members, which took effect from February 1.

New Zealand Rugby board

David Kirk MBE (Chairman)

Caren Rangi ONZM

Catherine Savage

Doug Jones

Grant Jarrold

Greg Barclay

Julia Raue

Kevin Mealamu MNZM