New Zealand Rugby League Appoints Andrea Nelson MNZM as Chief Executive

New Zealand Rugby League has announced the appointment of Andrea Nelson MNZM as its new Chief Executive.

Nelson, an experienced sports administrator with over two decades of senior leadership, succeeds Greg Peters, who stepped down in March 2026 after an eight-year tenure.

The appointment is a prerequisite for New Zealand Rugby League as it prepares for a high-stakes international calendar, including the 2026 Rugby League World Cup hosted across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Highlighting Nelson’s unique ability to navigate both high-level commercial environments and community-led sport, New Zealand Rugby League chair, Justin Leydesdorff, said: “We wanted a leader who could sit across the table from the biggest decision-makers in international rugby league, but who would also happily pick up a tea towel at a local club on the East Coast – Andrea is that person.” 

As a believer in the “More Than a Game” kaupapa, Nelson emphasised that the strength of New Zealand league lies in its people and its deep roots within Māori and Pasifika communities.

Her leadership will focus on sustaining the 320% growth seen in youth tournaments while ensuring the elite Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns remain dominant on the world stage.

“Rugby league’s greatest strength has always been, and always will be, its people.”

“I look forward to working together to shape the future of the game,” Nelson said.

A Proven Track Record in Global Sport

Nelson’s return to rugby league is described as a “homecoming,” following her successful role as General Manager for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand.

Her resume includes a diverse array of elite global event leadership roles:

• Chief Executive of Gymnastics New Zealand (Previous role).
• Senior Leadership Roles: London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA U20 World Cup, and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
• Chair of the NZ Events Association.

Strategic Momentum and Growth

Nelson inherits an organisation experiencing record participation, particularly among wāhine (women) and rangatahi (youth).

Since 2021, female participation has more than doubled, now making up 20% of the national player base.

The competitive landscape for the Kiwis is equally robust:

• Rugby League World Cup 2026: New Zealand will field the Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns, and Wheel Kiwis in a simultaneous global tournament.
• Commercial Success: The sport recently recorded its largest crowd in Aotearoa in over a decade, with 38,000 fans attending the Pacific Championships at Eden Park.
• Future Planning: One of the final acts of the previous administration was securing Auckland’s Eden Park as the host for a neutral State of Origin fixture in 2027.

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