Mackey gracious in defeat

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

RUGBY

The sporting buzz-term of the moment is “transformational change.”

And if change only works from the top down, it’ll be at least a year before New Zealand Rugby has an opportunity — through the appointment of a new chair — to make that happen.

Elected NZR board members Bailey Mackey and Shaun Nixon were beaten for the job by Stewart Mitchell, who has served on the board for seven years.

Mackey, 44, was gracious in defeat.

“New Zealand Rugby is 129 years old; change can come slowly in a legacy organisation like that. I’ve got the right competencies, vision, commercial acumen and connection to community. I’m committed to the board, to representing our region.

“I’d like to thank both the East Coast and Poverty Bay Unions for their support.

“On the upside, not getting good the job means I’ll have more time to concentrate on my son Api’s Uawa under-6 team.”