NEW ZEALAND’S NEWEST
RUGBY UNION
The Tasman Rugby Union was formed in December 2005 to allow the region to field a team in the premier 2006 National Provincial Championship (the NPC).
The “Mako”, as the Union’s team is known, was an amalgamation of the Nelson Bays and Marlborough Rugby Unions, thereby becoming New Zealand’s newest provincial union.
Nelson is The Home of Rugby in New Zealand, being where the first ever competitive rugby match took place in May 1870 at The Botanics between a Nelson College side and Nelson Football Club.
The Nelson Bays Rugby Sub-Union, founded in 1969 and whose representative team is known as “The Griffins”, is in itself an amalgamation of the Nelson and Golden Bays Rugby Unions founded in 1885 (becoming the nation’s sixth provincial union) and 1920 respectively.
The Marlborough Rugby Sub-Union, founded in 1888 and known as the “Red Devils”, has a proud rugby heritage including holding the storied Ranfurly Shield for six defenses in 1973.
Our two venues are Lansdowne Park in Blenheim, which was completely revamped in early 2006 to meet NZRU standards, and Trafalgar Park in Nelson which underwent a major upgrade to secure the hosting of two matches in the 2011 RWC and which was largely completed in time for the 2010 NPC season.
As a national provincial union, we are a feeder to the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise based in Christchurch. Our players however are also represented in the Highlanders, Chiefs and Blues.
The Tasman Makos won the 2013 ITM Championship Cup and in 2014 contested the ITM Cup Premiership Division final, and the 2016 and 2017 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Division finals.
The major competitive breakthrough for the Union came in December 2018 with the winning of the National Sevens Championship title in Taupo, and in October 2019 with the Tasman Mako being crowned the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership winners after an Undefeated 12 game season. The Mako went back-to-back winning the 2020 Premiership Cup with a thrilling 13-12 victory against favourites Auckland..
These teams were superbly captained by David Havili under the coaching helm of Andrew Goodman & Clarke Dermody, Shane Christie & Gray Cornelius.
The team continues to capture the hearts and minds of fans locally, nationally and beyond, by playing an adventurous brand of rugby.
On-field performance has also been reflected in the numbers of Mako players receiving Super contracts, consistently now at over 20 players per season, and the numbers going on to earn higher representative honours including All Blacks Sevens, Maori All Blacks and All Blacks selection.
Since 2016, eleven players have played Test rugby for New Zealand – Liam Squire, Kane Hames, David Havili, Tim Perry, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Atunaisa Moli, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie & Leicester Fainga’anuku.
None of these achievements would be possible without a vast array of financial support, from NZ Rugby, our Sponsors, Members and season ticket purchasers, and our community trust fund and gaming fund partners.
The Tasman Rugby Union is now a successful and innovative Provincial Union, connecting and inspiring our community through a life-long love of the Game.
OUR BADGE OF COURAGE .. THE MAKO
Our team is named after the Mako shark or ‘blue lightening’ as it is called because of its colour and speed. It is found throughout NZ, however the waters of Cook Strait, Marlborough and Tasman Bay are the most prevalent hunting grounds for these awesome predators.
Maori greatly admired the Mako due to its legendary tenacity and willingness to fight to the last. The Mako are also renowned for their speed, strength and agility – the same qualities that our rugby team has become renowned for.
OUR REGION – THE TOP OF THE SOUTH
Our region, colloquially known as the Top of the South, or Te Tau Ihu by Maori, encompasses Nelson and Abel Tasman, Marlborough and Kaikoura.
Maori occupation dates back some 800 years, while European settlement occurred in 1842. Eight Iwi groups claim ancestral occupation rights, or rights of conquest over areas in this region
The region is acknowledged as having the most sunshine hours of any region in the country. We are surrounded by awe inspiring coastal areas including idyllic Abel Tasman National Park, the pristine Golden and Nelson bays, stunning Marlborough Sounds and playful, eco-friendly Kaikoura.
OUR PURPOSE
Our reason for being is to Inspire and Connect our Community by nurturing a life-long love of the Game. We provide talented players, coaches, referees and administrators with pathways to fulfill their aspirations and potential.
We bring enjoyment and excitement to our fans through a positive Brand and match day experience. We make all people of the region feel good and proud when we play well.
Since Tasman RU’s foundation from 2006, the Union has produced :
11 All Blacks – Liam Squire (All Black # 1151), Kane Hames (# 1152), David Havili (# 1161), Tim Perry (# 1162), Atunaisa Moli (# 1168), Shannon Frizell (# 1172), Tyrel Lomax (#1180), Will Jordan (# 1191), Ethan Blackadder (# 1195) , Finlay Christie (# 1196) & Leicester Fainga’anuku (#1200).
14 Maori All Blacks – Greg Feek, Ben May, Quentin MacDonald, Kade Poki, Shane Christie, Liam Squire, Joe Wheeler, James Lowe, Billy Guyton, Kane Hames, Tyrel Lomax, Pari Pari Parkinson, Alex Nankivell & Jacob Norris.
9 NZ Sevens – Shane Christie, James Marshall, Bryce Heem, Trael Joass, Tone Ng Shiu, Andrew Knewstubb, Tima Fainga'anuku, Te Puoho Stephens, Jamie Spowart.
3 Black Fern Sevens - Moana Forbes, Jessica Drummond, Riseleanna Pouri-Lane.
OUR VALUES
We value our fan and supporter base above all else. Without people sponsoring the Union or attending Mako matches, we are nothing. We all live by 3 core values:
Belong in Humility
We earn our keep each day with our every action. We are humble. Here we each belong equally.
Trailblaze to Thrive
We are innovative. We grow by relentlessly pursuing new ideas with excellence and trust in each other
Unassailable Grit
We are tough and persevere no matter the obstacles. With every action we take, we grow stronger.
As a Union and a team, we value excellence in everything we do, on- and off the field. We put team ahead of self. Our actions speak louder than words.
Above all, we are all passionate about rugby – our sponsors and supporters, our community, our clubs, schools and representative teams, and the Mako. We all care deeply about our performance on and off the field.
Although not a wealthy Union we do our best to give back to the community through charitable donations, mainly of season ticket offers to raffle or auction, to good causes and fundraisers, especially to schools and junior rugby clubs.