The Union

We are the only union throughout the country that is Iwi founded. As such our involvement and participation in the game of rugby extends from home to nationwide and our whanaunga overseas, especially Australia where there are approximately 15,000 “Nati’s”. Recent census statistics also show that there are 72,000 “Nati’s” residing in NZ. The East Coast Rugby Football Union is a constituent union of the New Zealand Rugby Union. We are located on the East Coast of the North Island, based in Ruatoria. We are the smallest Union in New Zealand in the sense of player numbers and population base. Our team is formally and proudly known as Ngati Porou East Coast. Our home playing ground is Whakarua Park, Ruatoria. Ngati Porou East Coast Team The team is renowned for its fight and determination to play hard, as was exhibited in 1999 and 2000 when it won the then Air New Zealand NPC Third Division. Much to the nation's surprise, the Ngati Porou East Coast team, upon their first promotion to the then Air New Zealand NPC Second Division, found itself in the final against Hawke's Bay (2001). However, East Coast was unsuccessful, eventually losing by 6 points. Championships East Coast won the 3rd division in 1999 and 2000 and were runner-up in 2001 Hurricanes Franchise East Coast along with Wellington, Taranaki, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti make up the Hurricanes franchise. Board of Trustees and Club Delegates Bill Burdett Lesley Williams Hildaren Haenga Graeme Summersby Kerehama Blackman Jack Chambers John Manuel Porourangi Tawhiwhirangi Chairman & Ruatoria CITY Club Delegate Tokararangi Club Delegate Waiapu Club Delegate Deputy Chairman & Hicks Bay Club Delegate Uawa Club Delegate Tokomaru Bay United Club Delegate ECRFU President Hikurangi Sports Club Delegate