John Sturgeon, Runanga, ONZM, for services to rugby
Mr John Sturgeon was the elected President of the New Zealand Rugby Union from 2009 to 2010 after serving in various roles on the NZRU Council since 1987. After playing for the United Club from 1954 to 1968 he began his career in rugby administration as an executive member of the Star Rugby Club in 1968. By 1976 he was appointed to the management committee of the West Coast Rugby Football Union, where he served as Chair from 1984 to 1986 and returned in 2000 to 2007 to fulfil various committee roles. During the 1980s he managed the New Zealand Colts Team, the Northern Māori Team and the New Zealand Sevens Team before going on to manage the All Blacks from 1988 to 1991. He was appointed Chairman of Development West Coast in 2010 and is a trustee of the West Coast Community Trust, the West Coast Sports Award Trust, the Halberg Trust and the Solid Energy Sports Trust. He was named the Buller/West Coast Rugby Living Legend for the Living Legends Conservation Project. Mr Sturgeon has received various honours and awards including receiving the honour of a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1992.