01/06/2026
RUAKURA RFC OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN STYLE
While Ruakura RFC has been quietly bubbling away in the background for some time now, it was wonderful to officially launch the club with our Gala Dinner on Friday night.
It was a special evening that brought together so many familiar faces from throughout Chiefs history. Former players, coaches, managers, staff, supporters and members of the wider rugby community gathered to share stories, reconnect with old mates and celebrate the rich history and spirit of Chiefs rugby.
One of the highlights of the evening was seeing rugby supporters and business leaders rubbing shoulders with many of their heroes. There was plenty of laughter, plenty of banter, and more than a few stories that perhaps had never been told publicly before.
A huge thank you to James McOnie, who was the perfect MC and kept the evening flowing brilliantly. Guests were treated to a fascinating panel featuring former Chiefs coaches Brad Meurant, Ian Foster and Neil Barnes, before hearing from Chiefs legends Eric Rush, Mark Ranby, Craig Clarke and Aaron Cruden, who shared memories from their playing days and gave everyone a genuine insight into what it meant to wear the Chiefs jersey.
It was also fantastic to hear from Tony Johnson, who spoke about the journey of writing He Piko, He Taniwha alongside Lynn McConnell, a remarkable book that captures 30 years of Chiefs rugby through the voices of those who lived it.
The night was full of camaraderie, connection and good old-fashioned rugby spirit. Former players and guests alike embraced the occasion, creating an atmosphere that reflected everything Ruakura RFC hopes to stand for. Friendship, storytelling, belonging and giving back to the game.
Events like this simply don't happen without the support of many wonderful people and organisations.
A sincere thank you to our major sponsor Craigs Investment Partners, who continue to support outstanding initiatives throughout our community. To Steve Meertens and Website Angels, who have been right behind the Ruakura RFC vision since day one and have provided tremendous support throughout the journey.
Thank you to Kahurangi Catering for their magnificent food and service, and to the The University of Waikato for hosting us at The Pā — a world-class venue supported by a first-class team.
To the team at Waikato Draught, thank you for your unwavering support. It's fair to say the famous big bots of Waikato Draught were very well received by many of our guests!
Thank you also to Takapoto Estate for supplying the wine, their world class quality of wine was received very favourably by the guests!, and to Ben Sunn, whose music helped create a wonderful atmosphere throughout the evening.
A special thank you also to Hannah Devlin and the team at Drury Lane Dance Studio, who kicked off the evening in spectacular fashion. Their performance, complete with the traditional Chiefs cheerleading outfits of yesteryear, brought back plenty of memories and set the tone for a night that celebrated the rich history and character of Chiefs rugby. Thank you, Hannah, for embracing the vision and helping create such a memorable start to the evening.
A special thank you must also go to Brian King, who generously gave his time as auctioneer for the evening. Brian is one of those rare people who continually gives back to our community without seeking recognition. His energy, humour and professionalism helped make the auction a tremendous success, and his contribution to the evening was immense. We are incredibly grateful for his support of Ruakura RFC.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to Gilly Alexander, whose efforts as Event Manager were simply outstanding. Gilly did an incredible job bringing the event together and managing the countless moving parts that go into an event of this scale. She should be immensely proud of what was achieved.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended. You helped create a night that celebrated not only the history of the Chiefs, but also the future of rugby in our region.
The evening provided an opportunity to share the story behind Ruakura RFC and explain what we're trying to build — a club that honours the past, strengthens connections in the present, and helps support the development pathway for future generations of rugby players.
Our vision is simple: to use yesterday's heroes to inspire the next generation, while creating opportunities for former players, supporters and the wider community to remain connected to the game they love.
This was just the beginning.
We look forward to continuing to grow Ruakura RFC and playing our part in supporting rugby pathways at all levels of the game, ensuring the Chiefs region remains one of the strongest and most vibrant rugby communities in the world.
If you'd like to learn more about Ruakura RFC, stay connected, or explore becoming a member, we'd love to hear from you.
Join our mailing list here:
https://www.ruakurarfc.co.nz/galaform
Yesterday's heroes inspiring the next generation.
Thank you to Sharon Dean at Ultimate Sports for capturing the night beautifully.
Gallagher Chiefs
