Rugby: Taranaki Rugby record fourth consecutive surplus

Taranaki Rugby

The Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) has recorded a 4% lift in community playing numbers for 2025, one of a handful of provincial unions to record participation growth.

The result, alongside a fourth consecutive financial surplus was announced at the 140th TRFU Annual General Meeting, held at the Kaitake Rugby Club on Wednesday 22 April.

TRFU Chair Dan Radcliffe reflected positively on the year.

"At a time when rugby faces a number of headwinds as a sport, the province should be very pleased with the position of the TRFU as we look ahead to 2026. We have posted a strong financial result which allows us to bank some cash reserves and strengthen the balance sheet, our high-performance programme is operating well and most importantly we saw a lift in community playing numbers, bucking the national trend."

2025 also saw the completion of the Taranaki Regional Council's Stadium Taranaki redevelopment, a milestone that returned Taranaki Rugby to a fully redeveloped spiritual home.

The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Ranfurly Shield defence against Waikato drew the largest NPC home crowd in over eight years, outside of the 2023 Final.

Despite the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio transitioning from the Farah Palmer Cup to the Northern Regions Development competition, the TRFU remains invested in the female game through a dedicated female Academy system and several women and girls participation initiatives.

Fourth consecutive surplus

The TRFU posted a total net surplus before extraordinary items of $426,923 for 2025.

Having navigated an extremely challenging decade including the unavailability of Stadium Taranaki and the disruption of COVID-19, the TRFU has now posted four consecutive surpluses, making a significant financial turnaround.

The financial goal of the TRFU continues to be focused on replenishing cash reserves in the years to come.

The completion of the TSB Stand at Stadium Taranaki provided a significant boost to hospitality sales, with commercial revenue rising by 13% year on year.

Operating expenditure across the organisation reduced by 6%, funding from New Zealand Rugby was down 4%, and community rugby funding grew by 2%.

The net surplus after extraordinary income was $1,057,868. This was brought about by $630,945 of grant funding attributed to Te Whare Pūngao o Ngā-motu.

The project, presented by Taranaki Steelformers, is Taranaki Rugby's soon to be completed $1.4m collaborative training facility at Stadium Taranaki.

Taranaki Rugby has contributed $334,000 of cash reserves to the project and has taken out a TSB loan to complete the building.

Board and membership

Radcliffe thanked the individuals and organisations who supported Taranaki Rugby at all levels of the game.

The AGM saw John and Rosaleen Yarrow receive Taranaki Rugby Life Membership, following a nomination from the Southern Rugby Club.

The acknowledgement recognised the Yarrow family's extraordinary and unprecedented contribution to the game, which includes 21 years of support from Yarrows the Bakers as Principal Partner of the TRFU.

Elected Director John Dazley (Stratford Eltham Rugby & Sports Club) was re-elected for a third term on the TRFU Board.

Paige Croft, previously a Co-opted Director, was confirmed as an Appointed Director for the next three years, and Radcliffe was reappointed as an Appointed Director for the next 12 months.

The TRFU acknowledged the contribution of Appointed Director, Kylie Hawker-Green who retired from office prior to completing her term following a recent relocation.

Kevin Barrett and Colin Cooper, both Centurions and Life Members, were extended in their roles as President and Vice President respectively for a further year.