DIRECTORS & STAFF

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS​​​​​​​

The NZ Rugby Foundation is fortunate to be guided by a diverse group of outstanding individuals who have all excelled in their chosen paths. They represent a vastly experienced balance of rugby, governance, business, empathy, accounting and legal expertise contributing to the organisation both in terms of ethic and longevity.

PATRON
Sir Graham Henry- KNZM

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​"Graham’s reputation and standing in the community will be of great benefit to our ongoing work and goals of supporting our rugby players who have been seriously injured."

PATRON
Richie McCaw - ONZ​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​"This role provides a great opportunity for me to support rugby and the wider community, which has supported me and my rugby career over the years."

PRESIDENT
Andy Dalton

​​​​​​​Andy was one of the most successful All Blacks captains in history, victorious in 15 of his 17 tests as captain. Not long after his retirement from rugby he became a corporate manager and was President of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

CHAIR
Andrew Golightly

Andrew is well known in rugby as the Chair of Northland,  and former NZR Board member. Andrew is recognised as one of Northland’s leading commercial lawyers and well respected in the rugby community for his vast experience in rugby governance.

DEPUTY - CHAIR

Melodie Robinson

After completing her MBA in 2019 Melodie is the Head of Sports and Events for Television New Zealand. A former World Cup winning Black Fern of proud Ngai Tahu descent, Mel’s involvement in rugby continues at all levels through boards at Rugby World Cup limited to her local club.

TREASURER
Mark Peters

Mark was Chairman of the Marlborough Rugby Union for 6 years, a Director of the NZ Rugby Union for 8 years and is currently a director of the Highlanders Rugby Fraanchise.

Graeme Mourie - MBE

Out of the 61 games Gos played for the All Blacks, he was the captain 57 times. A fast and intelligent flank' he is synonymous with  many  moments in New Zeland's rugby history.

Andrew Hall

Andrew is the National Programme Manager for the NZ Spinal Trust and manages the Trust’s Peer Support and Vocational Rehabilitation programmes. Formerly he has been the CEO and Chair of the NZ Spinal Trust as well as having over 30 years experience in IT.

Simon Tremain

Simon is now the Managing Director of the Tremain Real Estate Group, a giant in the Hawkes Bay and still maintains strong rugby ties through personal, family and business relationships. Simon joned the board in 2013.

Teina Boyd

An Accessibility Advisor to Tauranga City Council. Before commencing this role in 2023, Teina consulted to the  ACC on how their systems and processes impact on whānau Māori living with injury, and continues to work in this role

Rowena Davenport

Rowena joined the NZRF Board in April 2025 after serving since 2022 as the NZR Board rep.  Prior to that she was Chair of the Otago Rugby Football Union in 2019, following six years serving as a director on the ORFU Board.

Andy Ellis

In a solid 28-test career for the All Blacks, Ellis is most remembered for having the final say in the tense 2011 Rugby World Cup final, kicking the ball into touch as the final hooter sounded.

Off the field, Ellis has a passion for gardening and landscape design. He won the Supreme Award at the Ellerslie Flower Show in 2010 and has written a book on the subject. He a

Prof. Stephen Morris

Stephen was a New Zealand Rugby Board  Director  (2016 – 2019) and a former Manawatu Rugby Union Chairmen (201 – 2016) and Hurricanes Director (2011 -2102) and is professor of Animal Science at Massey University

Hannah Porter

A former dual world cup winning Black Fern Hannah has been with the Foundation since 2021.  After several years managing both Black Ferns fifteens and sevens campagins Hannah worked for several years at High Performace Sport NZ. In 2022 she accepted a postion at NZR as head of womens high performace.

Heidi Beech

Heidi is a chartered accountant and was previously Finance Manager at NZ Rugby and subsequently Chief Financial Officer at Eden Park. She is currently on the Board of Sport Hawke’s Bay.

Keven Mealamu - NZR Rep

Keven is a respected business leader, community advocate, and former professional rugby player with experience in governance and stakeholder engagement. Since retiring from a 15-year professional rugby career in 2015, Keven has focused on fostering community well-being, business innovation, and sports governance.  

Dr Stephen Kara

Stephen is a Doctor at Axis and has worked extensively in rugby as doctor to The Blues (for 10 years), Auckland NPC Rugby, Counties Manukau Rugby, The Māori All Blacks and New Zealand U19 Rugby Teams. He works part-time at High Performance Support and is Medical Director for Canoe Racing. Stephen has a particular interest in concussion, holding positions with the NRL and World Rugby as an Independent Concussion Consultant.  

CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Lisa Kingi - Bon

Lisa has held management positions in two of rugby’s powerhouses – South Africa and New Zealand. This has been across various aspects of the game spanning five Rugby World Cups.  Diverse experience including international and national, managing individual players, PR, events, diplomacy, and logistics.

Moved to NZ in 2001 and blessed to call two counties home. “Prior to joining the New Zealand Rugby Foundation team, I was privileged to be a part of the RWC 2011 management team and wondered if I’d ever love a role as much. Well, the New Zealand Rugby Foundation surpasses and then some.”

“I respect sport as a powerful social catalyst. In our current world it is even more vital that sport remains relevant. It is a powerful tool in our fast-moving world and a healthy leveller.”

+64 9 6237980. 

​​​​​​​lisa@rugbyfoundation.nz. 

linkedin.com/lisa Kingi-Bon.

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HEAD OF COMMERCIAL
​​​​​​​Ben Sturmfels

Since joining the New Zealand Rugby Foundation in 2009, Ben has led the organisation’s fundraising and engagement strategy. His skills have been instrumental in developing a diverse suite of major fundraising events, campaigns, and partnerships that have firmly positioned the NZRF as a leader in sport-based philanthropy.

A lifelong rugby man, Ben has played, coached, and commentated the game from grassroots to representative level. His deep connection to the sport underpins a personal mission to ensure that future generations “have the opportunity to fall in love with rugby and immerse themselves in its life values and opportunities.”

Respected for his empathy, authenticity, and exceptional people skills, Ben is as comfortable engaging with grassroots volunteers as he is with senior executives and rugby legends. His dedication to the game and its community was recognised in 2021 when he was inducted as a member of the New Zealand Barbarians RFC.

+64 21 1441148. 

ben@rugbyfoundation.nz  

linkedin.com/Ben Sturmfels

HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
​​​​​​​Debrah Breedt

Debrah is a forward-thinking CPA qualified finance executive with over 20 years of international experience leading financial strategy, operational transformation, and technology integration across diverse sectors including FMCG, sport governance, telecommunications and retail. Known for her strategic insight and results-driven leadership, Debrah has a consistent track record of elevating organizational performance and profitability.

Previously, as Head of Finance at Athletics New Zealand and CEO of North Harbour Gymnastics, Debrah was instrumental in aligning financial operations with high-performance organisational goals. She managed complex funding structures, directed IT and asset management, ensured regulatory compliance and governance support.

In her spare time Debrah is an avid endurance runner and enjoys spending time in the outdoors. She also has a passion for people and getting involved in the community by volunteering at sporting events, charity fundraising and recently with Victim Support.

+64 21 032 8439. 

deb@rugbyfoundation.nz  

linkedin.com/Debrah Breedt