New Zealand Rugby has received a fine of NZD$280,000 (AUD$245,000) from Sport New Zealand for not meeting gender diversity targets on their board of directors.

The organization has been found short of having 40% representation of women on the board and will see the fine paid out of their funding from Sport New Zealand.

The report that resulted in the fine added that out of 65 major New Zealand sporting organisations, New Zealand Rugby was the only not to reach the set target.

Three out of the nine New Zealand Rugby board members are female.

New Zealand Rugby chairman, Stewert Mitchell, said: “The NZ Rugby Board acknowledges that we have not met Sport NZ’s requirement … and the subsequent financial penalty for non-compliance.

“While this funding is valuable to NZ Rugby, it will not impact our current work streams in the professional or community game,” he said.

Sport New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle has acknowledged the ‘good progress’ New Zealand Rugby has made towards diversity on their board, however, she has indicated that there will be consequences for non-compliances.

New Zealand Rugby has advised Sport New Zealand that the earliest it can comply the requirement is their April 2023 annual meeting in the lead up too the 2023 Rugby World Cup.