Welcome & Thank you
On behalf of North Harbour Rugby, the Board and our staff I would like to personally welcome you to the new re-invigorated newsletter harbour CONNECT.
harbour CONNECT is another way to ensure we stay in touch with our community, valued fans and partners who are the pillars for Rugby in our Province.
Firstly, our gratitude must also go out to those have been working tirelessly on the front line to keep NZ as safe as we can. We can only imagine how taxing this has been for you all and your families.
We would also like to thank all of our valued Union and Club Rugby sponsors and funders who support all of our community at this time.
In particular, we are very thankful for the support but also leadership and sense of family brought to the Union by QBE. Thanks go to Declan and his team at QBE. You are showing commitment and leadership not only at North Harbour but also to the whole NZ sporting community and beyond.
To our hardworking Club whanau, who are still working behind the scenes to get us back to a normal environment. We really do appreciate the energy you have given at this time to keep across this evolving situation on behalf of Rugby’s people.
As I write this we know we are moving to level 3 and there will hopefully be further decisions lowering the levels in the near future. There is a real drive to look ahead and work in collaboration with Clubs and Schools. Our state of readiness to re-start community rugby is high and we have proven ability now to be able to participate in PU competitions when we know the format they are to take.
Stay safe in Rugby. Kia Kaha. Let’s get back on the park as soon as possible!
NHRU Chairman, Gerard van Tilborg
Kia ora Harbour Community,
We hope you are all safe and well in your bubbles.
When the COVID storm hit us, it was a case of shoring up the edges and preparing for the storm. A lot of focus was put on people and community safety, identifying all the risks, and making the best decisions we could, based on expert advice, being that of the government.
From there it has been a case of navigating this storm step by step together with our key community leadership groups and focusing our energy on the key priorities. Safety, financial viability and ensuring our rugby community comes out of this in a strong place are integral here.
Now we are starting to turn our minds to stage 4 “When- not if- the storm passes, we are ready”. Although there is a lot of scenario planning, we remain very much guided by expert advice and we are working closely with NZR. We want our waka to be in a good place to open the sails when the sun comes out.
But there have been some rays of sunshine at times and we still feel it is important to pump up the positive moments.
QBE reached out to tell us we are right behind you- that was huge. Knowing QBE are standing beside us allows us to stay focused on our purpose, which is all about improving the lives of people in our community through rugby, and safeguarding rugby in our province. We are very lucky to have some amazing partnerships.
The team has also adjusted our work streams with the aim to connect, trouble shoot and help; and create value where we can for our stakeholders-we have really enjoyed this part of the journey.
Although the storm is still around us, our waka remains intact and our course is becoming clearer. We will continue to stay connected with our community leadership as this time as we anticipate a few more rough patches and we want to make sure we are making good decisions for rugby in our region.
On behalf of the Board and our staff, we hope you all stay safe and well.
NHRU CEO, David Gibson
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this newsletter.
My family and I have not lived in New Zealand long, having moved here from Sydney in August last year. We’ve settled in well and we’re loving being part of the North Shore community. From day one, and especially during this time, we’ve experienced the strong community spirit and friendliness. It’s not unusual for a knock on the door with a plate of cookies, fresh grapefruit, or steaming dumplings being offered. It’s put a bit of pressure on my own cooking abilities, but I can always fall back on my almost edible banana bread.
At QBE the health and wellbeing of our customers, partners, our community and our people remains our number one priority. We know how important North Harbour and rugby more broadly is to our community and across New Zealand – particularly at the grass roots level. It’s the reason QBE have stood behind our North Harbour Rugby for 17 years and it’s the reason why we’re standing behind them today.
While we are all apart, and in the uncertain circumstances we are all navigating, the connections we have made through sport are now more important than ever.
QBE is proud to have the opportunity to support North Harbour and the rugby community.
Look after each other, stay safe and be kind.
QBE NZ & Pacific CEO & Chief Customer Officer, Declan Moore
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