New Zealand Rugby Museum facts for kids

The New Zealand Rugby Museum building

A memorial to Charles Monro, who brought rugby to New Zealand

The New Zealand Rugby Museum is a special place in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It's a museum all about the sport of Rugby union. Here, you can learn about the history of rugby in New Zealand and see many cool things related to the game.

History of the Museum

How the Museum Started

The New Zealand Rugby Museum was created by two people, John Sinclair and Dr Fred Spurdle. Their first exhibition opened in April 1969. A group called the Rugby Museum Society of New Zealand Incorporated was officially formed on May 14, 1970.

The museum was inspired by the Trophy Room at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales. It holds a huge collection of items. You can find old rugby equipment, famous jerseys, books, photos, and trophies. There are also video displays and many other exhibits that tell the story of rugby.

Important People at the Museum

Many famous rugby players have supported the museum. Former All Blacks like Sir Brian Lochore, Ian MacRae, and Sir Wilson Whineray have been presidents or patrons.

As of 2023, the president is Dr Farah Palmer. Stephen Berg is the full-time director. Neil Monro, whose grandfather Charles Monro brought rugby to New Zealand, has been the treasurer for over 50 years. Clive Akers, who writes rugby books, is the committee chair.

Museum's New Home

Before the Rugby World Cup 2011, the museum moved to a bigger space. It is now next to the Palmerston North Civic Centre. It's part of the Te Manawa museum, which also covers art, science, and history.

The museum was part of the REAL New Zealand Festival. This festival had many cultural events during the Rugby World Cup. The museum has about 50,000 items in its collection. Some of these are shared online through NZMuseums, a website that lists items from museums across New Zealand. The museum also lends out special items for different events.

The Rugby Museum Society of New Zealand manages the museum. This society is a registered charity. It is also an Associate Member of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

See also

In Spanish: Museo de Rugby de Nueva Zelanda para niños