Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees Association - HBRRA

25/08/2026

Bruce Hutchins passed away suddenly while at work on Monday.

Many of you will remember Bruce as an enthusiastic and dedicated AR for several seasons. Bruce had managed teams with HRS before taking up the Club AR role that was promoted a few years back. He was a wonderful man, was part of a great family, and a valued and genuine friend to many.

Our deepest sympathies to Teresa and their whanau.

19/08/2026

HBRRA LIFE MEMBERSHIPS 2026

In the thirty-one years of the Hawkes Bay Rugby Referees Association's existence, there have been eleven life memberships awarded. At our prize-giving last month, another two names were added to the life members list.

Brent Malone and Stephen Dine have been part of the HBRRA since its inception back in 1995. They actually had started as members of the Hastings referees group prior to the amalgamation. Brent took up refereeing in 1990 and Stephen in 1994, after many seasons of playing the game.

Both have made immense contributions to our association and the wider rugby community in Hawkes Bay. They have served on the Executive for lengthy tenures. As treasurer for many years, Stephen has been instrumental in advising and guiding the committee to the very healthy financial position it is in today. Brent was also on the HBRRA Executive for an extended period of time. He served as chairman for seven years, as well as a significant time prior to taking on that position as an executive member. Both brought skills from their professional life which they used to enhance and grow our association in terms of effectiveness, strategy and reputation.

Stephen and Brent are excellent referees who love being there to support their colleagues, as well as enjoying their opportunities in the middle. Known for being consistent and fair officials, they have taken on hundreds of matches over the seasons. In addition, they willingly take on any assigned AR roles and do them with aplomb. Brent and Stephen were also excellent coaches, offering positive and meaningful encouragement and support to those they were assigned to watch.

Many thanks to Brent and Stephen for all you have given to the rugby community in Hawkes Bay and in particular the success of our association. We acknowledge the very fitting accolade of life membership you have both been recognised with.

04/08/2026

Congratulations to Max on being selected for the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council Referee Squad!

This is a fantastic opportunity and well-deserved recognition of all the hard work you've put in. Exposure to representative rugby is a great chance to learn, challenge yourself, and continue developing as a referee.

We're looking forward to seeing how Max continues to grow and make the most of this opportunity. Congratulations once again, and all the best for what's ahead!

03/08/2026

You might have noticed Sheldon wearing something a little different to our usual black and white kit last week when he refereed the Polson Banner game last week between Napier Boys High School and Palmerston North Boys High School. Paying homage to the two proud provinces these schools belong to!

Due to our white Best Travel HBRRA kit clashing with PNBHS, and often NBHS as well, Sheldon had the idea to wear one of our old HBRRA shirts that we had on display at our prizegiving the Saturday prior.

Great to see Sheldy out there in action, doing a great job at representing our association and its history!

Is the ref in the NBHS v PBHS wearing a Central Vikings inspired kit? 🔥👀

11/07/2026

Most club finals all completed for the season, apart from the women's final set for 18th July.

A message of congratulations to the fourteen teams on making the finals of their respective grades, and playing so impressively well in the season deciders.

And an acknowledgement of the twenty-one HBRRA officials who refereed and ARed exceptionally in the games from Thursday to Saturday. Outstanding work every one of you.

08/07/2026

Thirsty Whale Referee of the Week – Stu Catley

Our highlighted referee this week is someone who achieves a significant milestone this coming Saturday. As Stu Catley blows the whistle on the Maddison Trophy final, he will also be officiating his 150th Premier club game in HBRRA colours. This is a pretty rare occurrence for Hawkes Bay club rugby. Since the various local referee associations combined in the 1990s, Stu will become only the third referee to achieve this number of premier appearances (alongside Bruce Dockary and Marty Hantz). Mighty stuff!

Outside of Hawkes Bay, Stu is closing in on forty first class games, and we will all enjoy seeing this number continuing to increase into the future too.

Those of us who have been watching local rugby and/or refereeing over the past couple of decades will have seen Stu as a keen member of the rugby scene throughout that time. He first got registered with HBRRA some twenty seasons ago. Refs heading down to Waipukurau back then might recall a slim young teenager always offering to run touch for any games being played on Central Park. Offers were gladly accepted, of course.

Then in 2007, while CHB hosted the Ross Shield tournament that year, an appointed referee failed to show for their game. With the encouragement of Stephen Smith, our Year 10 student who was going to be waving the flag that game, ended up in the middle. He totally impressed everyone at the park that day with his display ... and Stu hasn’t looked back since. Stu refereed his first premier game in 2011, and the tally has continued to grow since then.

Stu has been such a wonderful support to our association with his involvement in training sessions, as well as through video analysis and sharing his approach and decision-making processes with us. He encourages everyone, is very honest and has so much to offer developing and experienced referees. Stu has matured into a very calm, measured and very consistent game manager who is always adding to the match experience.

Stu will also take on any appointment at any level and does it for the love of the game. From secondary and primary school games through all the club grades – he goes wherever he is asked and is able to get to. And Stu is willing to take on more than one game per day ... actually doing three and half games one Saturday a few weeks back (and yes, one was a Premier game too!).

Refereeing is a family event for Stu – his young kids often run water for him during games, and when we are shy of ARs he has been known to coerce his father-in-law into action with a flag in hand. Thanks for being a wonderful role model, an excellent referee, a lover of rugby and all-round great guy Stu.

So look out Thirsty Whale – he is bound to get that legendary appetite going for a feed at the restuarant when that voucher appears. Go well Stu!

05/07/2026

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees' Association is delighted to invite all members to a special Q&A session with Chris Po***ck.

Chris is the Head of New Zealand Professional Referees, a former professional referee, Rugby World Cup official, and proud member of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees' Association, having lived in the Bay for the past 2 decades

Throughout his distinguished refereeing career, Chris officiated at the highest levels of the game, including Test rugby, Super Rugby, Rugby Championship fixtures and the Rugby World Cup. Since retiring from on-field officiating, he has continued to play a key role in the development of New Zealand's elite referees, leading the professional refereeing programme and helping shape the next generation of officials.

This is a fantastic opportunity to hear firsthand about:
- Chris's journey from community rugby to the international stage.
- What it takes to become an elite referee.
- Match management, communication and decision-making under pressure.
- The current direction of professional refereeing in New Zealand.
- Insights into the modern game and law application.
- Your own questions during an open Q&A session.

Whether you're a new referee, an experienced Premier official, or simply interested in the game, this promises to be an entertaining and informative evening with one of New Zealand rugby's most respected officials.

02/07/2026

Thirsty Whale Referee of the Week – Dan Waenga

Our association is so very privileged to have an active referee with international experience in the ranks. And what’s more, he is a rugby legend, as well as being an absolutely top bloke.

Dan is in his tenth season as a member of the HBRRA. He is always willing to help whenever he can - happily taking on an appointment in any grade.

He has consistently been willing to support and positively encourage all referees—openly sharing his thoughts and feedback in a considerate and meaningful way. Dan offers perspectives to our weekly meetings that are clear, reflective and engaging.

Dan manages any match in such a natural way. His goal this season is to let the game flow as much as possible, which is working beautifully and creating a positive experience for everyone involved. Players respect his calm demeanour and strong knowledge of the game, as well as that personal touch of being friends with many of those who are playing.

This 2026 season Dan is currently involved in sports in so many ways. Take these for starters:
* coaching the Napier BHS 1st XV,
* supporting the other sports his children are involved in,
* as well as developing referees locally.

And that is before he makes himself available to appear in HBRRA colours. This Saturday Dan referees his 52nd Hawkes Bay premier club game when he takes control of the NOBM v HRS Maddison Trophy semifinal.

Thanks for everything you do Dan to support our game, and the people involved in it. Enjoy cashing in that voucher!

29/06/2026

All of a sudden, it's that time of the year again!

Save the date! On the 25th of July, the HBRRA will be hosting our prizegiving at the Thirsty Whale from 6 pm onwards. Join us as we come together to celebrate our referees and their achievements!

We'll send formal invitations and more information before the end of the week, and then ask for RSVPs. So for now, all you need to do is put it in your calendar! Don't forget to keep an eye out for your emails.

25/06/2026

Thirsty Whale Referee of the Week – David Clarkson

This week we acknowledge the current chairman of HBRRA, David Clarkson. David joined our ranks in 2022 when he was recruited by work colleague Bruce Dockary to join up - as he had ‘reffed a wee bit back in England.’ After an early appearance, it became apparent pretty quickly that he knew his way around a rugby field while holding the whistle. Ever so modestly, he claimed he was mightily unfit ... but none of the teams he was refereeing spotted that. David quickly advanced to our Premier panel by 2023. And now, this coming Saturday he will control his thirtieth and premier blazer game as HRS plays host to Napier Pirates.

Prior to arriving in New Zealand, David had been ranked as an English National Panel referee and had officiated in national leagues just below the highest club competitions. He adapted quickly to the New Zealand system and incorporates many positive elements of the two distinct hemisphere approaches to creating his own style.

David always appreciates a game at any level. He consistently shows a genuine and real enjoyment of the experience, those playing, and the entire crowd. He always sets high standards for himself. David is prepared to give back in many ways—whether mentoring young referees, coaching and selecting at a regional level or helping fellow referees prepare for law exams.

And along with all this, he has taken on the responsibility as the Chairman of the HBRRA Executive from this year, doing the job professionally and with great impact. Many thanks, David, for all you have given to our game, as well as for what you have achieved thus far. Have a brilliant Saturday!