Southland Sport + Motorsport
• Rugby Southland announced a $177,000 surplus, boosted by one-off national funding support
• CEO and Chair stress cautious optimism as operational gains still face national funding pressures
• New President Rex Carter steps in, bringing strong grassroots focus and board experience
Rugby Southland has posted a financial surplus of $177,000 for the 2024 year, but the Union says the headline result must be viewed in the right context.
At the organisation’s Annual General Meeting, held in Invercargill this week, Rugby Southland explained that nearly half the surplus — around $80,000 — stemmed from a unique one-off benefit. This came after New Zealand Rugby agreed to repay COVID-era wage subsidies on behalf of all 14 provincial unions, easing a liability that had originally been budgeted by Rugby Southland.
When adjusting for that factor, the Union’s actual operational profit was just under $100,000 — still a strong and encouraging outcome.
“This is a result we can be proud of,” said CEO Hua Tamariki. “It reflects a lot of hard work behind the scenes, careful management, and strong support from our community and commercial partners. But we’re under no illusion — some of this came down to timing and circumstances we couldn’t predict.”
The positive result has helped strengthen Rugby Southland’s equity position heading into a financially challenging future.
Despite the current surplus, the Board has approved a deficit budget for 2025. This is due in part to upcoming cuts from New Zealand Rugby as it enters the final year of its current funding cycle.
“We’re committed to delivering value at every level of the game,” Tamariki said. “The decision to run a deficit next year hasn’t been taken lightly, but it reflects our long-term view — that investing now will pay dividends for the future of rugby in the province. We are hopeful that with increased local backing, including hitting our target of 10,000 fans at our season opener against Otago, we can eat into this deficit considerably.”
Chairman Murray Brown also voiced cautious optimism, while stressing the need for adaptability. “This year’s surplus is a good result, and the operational performance was especially pleasing — it shows we’re tracking well internally. But there are some big conversations happening at a national level that will have a direct impact on all provincial unions. We need to remain agile and financially disciplined as those changes come into play.”
Changes at the AGM also included the appointment of Rex Carter as Rugby Southland’s new President, following Leicester Rutledge’s decision not to re-stand. Rutledge ends his official term with more than 50 years of service to Southland rugby as a player, coach, manager and President.
“Leicester has given more to Southland rugby than we could ever sum up in words,” said Tamariki. “He’s been a player, a coach, a mentor, and a leader. But more than anything, he’s been a presence — a reassuring, passionate, and humble presence — for over five decades. We’re incredibly grateful for his service and proud that he will continue to support the Union as a life member.”
Carter, who has served on the board since 2016, is widely respected in the rural rugby community and seen as a strong advocate for grassroots and club-level rugby.
Board Chair Murray Brown welcomed the leadership change. “Rex has been a trusted voice around our board table and across the rugby community,” he said. “He understands what makes Southland rugby special, and he’ll carry the legacy of those before him with great care.”
Marc Robertson was also announced as a new board director, filling the seat left by Carter’s move to President. Robertson is well-known in Eastern Southland’s rugby and business sectors and brings experience from the Southland Country Rugby board and the Mataura Licensing Trust.
Ashley Light was reappointed for a third term on the board, adding stability as Rugby Southland heads into a year focused on community support, leadership, and resilience.