Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees Association - HBRRA

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Hawke's Bay Rugby Referees Association - HBRRA

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08/06/2026

The HBRRA would like to congratulate Mike Kupa on refereeing his first Premier rugby match over the weekend.

Taking charge of a Premier fixture is a huge milestone and a reflection of the hard work, commitment, and dedication you've put into your refereeing journey. To make your debut in the Napier Pirates vs Bridge Pa Premier match is something you'll always remember.

Mike has been involved in rugby in many different ways: as a player, coach, administrator, and now referee. He initially became linked to the HBRRA as the club AR for Central helping out back in 2021, when we did not have sufficient numbers to have two AR appointments to premier games in Waipukurau. By 2022, he was appearing in the middle, and hasn't looked back. Also a nationally ranked touch referee as well as being found on the side of the basketball court.

The Hawke's Bay rugby community is lucky to have passionate officials willing to step up and contribute to the game. Wishing you all the best for the rest of the season and the many Premier appointments still to come.

Well done Mike, a fantastic achievement and one to be proud of!

01/06/2026

Premier game debut this coming Saturday for Mike Kupa!!! Pirates v Bridge Pa on Ian McRae Field 3.00pm. Go well Mike!

21/05/2026

THIRSTY WHALE REFEREE OF THE WEEK – Chris Patrick

This week we recognise one of the HBRRA’s most consistent referees for the past decade – Chris Patrick. Chris started with our group having previously been a player for HRS. He took up the whistle in 2015, and been making appearances every season since. Chris is unflappable when out in the middle and referees with a quiet calm. Games flow well when Chris is officiating, and he gains strong respect from the players.

Chris is also a highly valued AR. Fit and fast, he can be found all over the province taking on all kinds of appointments – all to benefit those who love playing rugby. So thanks, Chris, for the dedication and commitment you show week in and week out. Truly a top bloke ...

Thirsty Whale food and drink beckons ... enjoy!

13/05/2026

THIRSTY WHALE REFEREE OF THE WEEK Max Lancaster

Our referee of the week is Max Lancaster. Max has been a great servant of the HBRRA since starting out in the middle back in 2018, while still a student at NBHS. Following that initial year, Max managed refereeing (mainly secondary schools and ARing duties) whilst still playing for Eskview Colts for a season. These past seven years he has been fully committed to refereeing. After making an impressive debut in the Premier grade during 2023 controlling a match between MAC and Tamatea, he has been a constant presence on this panel since that time. Currently closing in on a Premier blazer, at present Max has twenty-seven premier matches to his tally. He has also been involved in the Hurricanes Youth Council referee squad for a number of seasons, officiating in games across the Hurricanes region during the latter half of the season.

Max has a relaxed, calm style that is noted by many observers. He is always willing to learn and shows a great maturity in his approach to the game. Max helps out anyone else, and happily takes on more than one appointment if required (well, he is still young ...). He also travels anywhere throughout the Hawkes Bay region. A true rugby fan, he has missed a few of the more recent finals weekends through being off at various July All Black tests. Max also organised the impressive Honours Board that sits proudly at the HBRU headquarters.

Thanks for the commitment you show our sport Max, and the future holds plenty for you. Make the most of that Thirsty Whale voucher too!

28/04/2026

THIRSTY WHALE REFEREE OF THE WEEK – Nick Wakefield

Now in his fourteenth season as a member of the HBRRA, our referee of the week is Nick Wakefield. Nick has been a very consistent referee over the years and displays a calm, measured approach to officiating the game. He is shown steady development over the years and willingly takes on games at any level.

As well as being a great whistler in the middle, Nick is also a fine AR, and this was acknowledged with him being on the sideline for the 2022 Maddison Trophy final. Another of our team who has links to CHB, he loves getting out into the country.

Nick is a dedicated rugby fan who takes a keen interest in the game at all levels – and is always up for a discussion on the merits of various professional teams ...

Thanks for the way you juggle a busy life to find time to give back to the rugby community Nick. Enjoy that voucher from Thirsty Whale!

15/04/2026

Thirsty Whale Referee of the Week – Andy Clark

Our referee of the week is Andy Clark. Andy joined the HBRRA back in 2019 when he and his whanau moved north from Wellington, and he has been a highly valued member of our group since.

Andy has been involved in rugby for decades. A very keen player over the years, including playing in the competitive Under 85kg and reserve grades in Wellington, while he also played a mere 350 games for the OBU ‘69ers’. Not only a rugby official, he is also a highly regarded touch referee and player. And he is a darned good cyclist: Andy completed the Tour Aotearoa cycling the length of NZ from Cape Reinga to Bluff in 2024. A wonderful achievement, still worth celebrating.

Andy is a very consistent referee, and approaches every game with the same levels of enthusiasm. He has officiated in many games, including a number of premier matches since making his debut at this level in 2022. Andy is one of those refs who will go ‘anywhere, any time’ and in a large region like ours, that attitude is like gold! Consistently positive, extremely fit for one of the ‘senior’ refs and so encouraging to everyone, we celebrate Andy – the man with the distinctive number plate!

Enjoy that Thirsty Whale voucher Andy!

12/04/2026

Check out some action shots of our Best Travel Referees from the first few rounds of the Premier Grade Nash Cup!

Think you can see yourself out there in the middle? If you or someone you know is interested in giving refereeing a go this year, please contact [email protected] for details on how to register, get referee ready and have fun out on the grass!

09/04/2026

Thirsty Whale Referee of the Week - Shane Allen

The first referee recognised this season is Shane Allen. Shane took up the whistle back in 2015 and has been an enthusiastic and committed member of the HBRRA whanau since then.

A fast, energetic loose forward back in the 80s and 90s, Shane is one of the large number of HBRRA referees who spent time in Central Hawkes Bay during their formative years. Originally from Wellington, Shane has played for a variety of clubs, including Palmerston North HSOB, Waipukurau HSOB, and Pōrangahau.

Shane got into refereeing after coaching JAB through Pirates and Eskview Rugby Clubs as his sons advanced through the grades. He has been ready and willing to referee midweek games in all types of primary and secondary school games and has enabled hundreds of encounters to go ahead with the luxury of a capable, qualified referee. And unlike many, Shane is very happy with an early start to the rugby day! Still looking youthful, but surely has to be classified as one of the ‘senior’ refs, Shane referees for the advancement of the game, is very fit, and is widely respected for his engaging means of controlling a game.

Thanks Shane for what you give to rugby and your obvious love of the game. And a great bloke too!

Enjoy that Thirsty Whale voucher!

01/04/2026

It's been fantastic to see so many attending our Training & Education Sessions. We've had a great turnout, and it's been awesome to see referees at all levels getting involved and contributing. These sessions are valuable not just for the content but also for the discussions and shared experiences.

If you have any family, friends or rugby enthusiasts who are interested in getting into refereeing, bring them along! These sessions are a great way to learn, develop skills, and be part of a supportive community.

T&E sessions are held at the HBRU offices
Start time: 6:00pm

Please note that there are a few weeks where a public holiday falls on a Monday, so no meeting will be held.

Hopefully, we continue to see great momentum at these sessions! We look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces at our next session on Monday, the 13th of April, at HBRU Offices.

23/03/2026

Wanting to be involved in rugby with the perks of flexibility? Have you considered refereeing? If you’re keen to give back to your community, sign up now to our women & girls Introduction to Refereeing course! No experience necessary, we can offer childcare, and there’ll be kai available 🏉

Sign up to a session near you ➡️ https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/introduction-to-refereeing

Address

3 Orotu Drive, Poraiti
Napier

Website

http://www.hawkesbayrugbyreferees.co.nz/

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