The New Zealand Rugby Museum

21/10/2026

Maree Fitzgibbon, Black Fern no. 5 popped in to the museum this afternoon. She shared some stories about the early years of Women's international rugby, including playing in England.

01/10/2026

It was fun to have this School holiday group in at the museum. Thanks to Massey University and the Children's University project for your support too!

24/09/2026

The Definitive Register of New Zealand Rugby is Back — Fully Updated to 2025.
Ten years after the last edition, rugby historian Clive Akers has completed the monumental task of updating the undisputed "bible" of our national game: New Zealand Rugby Register 1870–2025.
Whether you are tracing family rugby history, settling a clubhouse debate, or researching 155 years of first-class rugby, this is the essential reference book for every serious fan, club, and collector.
What’s Inside:
• Biographical records of every first-class player in New Zealand history from 1870 through to the end of the 2025 season.
• Full records for first-class referees and prominent administrators who shaped the game.
• Substantially expanded and updated with a decade of new first-class caps, milestones, and historical additions.
• Lists players with hundred games for their union and other achievements
• Premium Hardbound edition built to last on your reference shelf.
Price: $120 NZD (+ courier delivery, or pick up free from the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North).
How to Order:
1. Send us a direct message or email us at [email protected] with your name, delivery address, phone number, and number of copies.
2. We will email you a secure Xero invoice with instant online payment options (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay) or direct bank transfer details.
3. Your copy will be dispatched via tracked courier as soon as payment is confirmed.
4. Prefer a paper form? We can email a form to you.

16/08/2026

To mark fifty years since the mighty Manawatu won the Ranfurly Shield, we reflected on the events taking place in 1976.

Winning the Ranfurly Shield wasn’t just about the moment Doug Rollerson kicked a wobbly dropkick over the crossbar at Eden Park.

14/08/2026

Which team that wore this red velvet cap?
The 1904 Anglo-Australian Rugby Football Team was actually the Great Britain side, what we know today as the British & Irish Lions. They toured both Australia and New Zealand, though you’d never guess New Zealand was on the itinerary just by looking at the cap! While a few rare collection items carry the AARFT acronym, contemporary newspapers and match programmes almost strictly referred to them as the "British Football Team."

01/08/2026

It's 99 years since the Tuera Shield was introduced as a Maori Challenge competition in the Taranaki-Whanganui-Manawatu area. Today holders Taranaki are defending it against Manawatu in Hawera.

31/07/2026

Thanks for the shout out Alan Davies. We do actually have a photo of England captain Martin Johnson holding the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003 on display.

30/07/2026

Peter Robertson is searching for the whereabouts of the Freyberg Cup Medals.

30/06/2026

Ken Rea has been a great and dedicated volunteer at the museum for the last fifteen years. We have lost count of the number of projects Ken has helped with - from organising the library, sorting match programmes, collection care of the team photos, and laying out a full set of the Rugby News. We were saddened to learn of Ken's unexpected passing on Monday. Ken we will miss your cheery phone calls on Monday morning - "Is there anything you'd like me to help with this week?"

22/06/2026

Fabulous Feilding for the All Blacks naming. Grass roots club rugby, kids, skills and drills, and BBQ lunch.