Dame Patsy Reddy, the chair of New Zealand Rugby (NZR), has announced that she will not seek reappointment to the NZR board.

This decision comes as NZR and rugby stakeholders are in the process of implementing a new governance framework and appointment process for the board.

Reddy’s choice is said to be consistent with her stance on governance reform.

However, she expressed her support for the progress that has been made and her commitment to the agreed governance changes.

“NZR has a vital role to play in leading and growing rugby in New Zealand and internationally and it has been an honour to chair the board.

“What’s important now is ensuring the appointments process is robust and focused on achieving the best outcomes for rugby, and on continued stewardship of NZR’s business-as-usual. These remain priorities for me through to the end of my term,” said Reddy.

Alongside Reddy, Dame Farah Palmer and NZR president Matthew Cooper will also not be applying for positions on the new board.

Instead, they will collaborate with the stakeholder panel to establish the six-person Appointments and Remunerations Panel (ARP).

The ARP will play a role in the appointment process by shortlisting, interviewing, and selecting the nine NZR board members.

The final appointees will then be ratified by NZR’s voting members in early December.

The establishment of the ARP is expected to happen within the next two weeks, coinciding with the closure of the recruitment process on October 20. The entire appointments process is scheduled to be completed by early December, with the new independent NZR board anticipated to be in place by the end of the year.

Reddy’s term will conclude at that point.