NZR cuts 25 per cent of staff as Covid effects hit
New Zealand Rugby has laid off 25 per cent of staff and is considering a wage subsidy extension to survive the economic impact of Covid19.
Chief executive Mark Robinson confirmed yesterday that 40 head office staff in Wellington have been made redundant.
In May, it was reported New Zealand Rugby was to cut up to 50 per cent of staff, but Robinson said the resumption of Super Rugby Aotearoa has helped lower that number.
‘‘We are finalising [the redundancies] in the next couple of days,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s fair to say that rugby resuming means that the cuts [to] staff numbers aren’t as harsh as first feared . . . [but] it’s still hard to say goodbye to people that have given such a huge amount to the game within our organisation.’’
Cuts have been made right across the business, he said. ‘‘There haven’t been areas that haven’t been impacted.’’
New Zealand Rugby claimed more than $3.67 million for 536 employees under the government’s first wage subsidy. NZR received the largest payout of any sports organisation under this scheme.
Rugby, including NZR, Super franchises and provincial unions received more than $7m through the wage subsidy scheme.
Robinson said he didn’t know all the details regarding who was claiming the subsidy under NZR, but it’s understood to include about 160 head office staff, along with All Blacks’ players, Super Rugby players, Black Ferns, All Blacks and Black Ferns’ sevens, national team management, Super Rugby coaches and doctors, professional referees and regional staff.
NZR staff, All Blacks management and the board took a 20 per cent pay cut in early April. It was due to be reviewed after three months.
Also in April, the All Blacks, Black Ferns, and Super Rugby players opted to freeze 50 per cent of what was forecast to be spent on player payments in the last eight months of 2020.
In May, NZR announced it was to experience a $120m revenue decline for the current financial year.
Crowds have returned to live rugby with a 105 per cent increase on pre-virus crowds, which Robinson described as ‘‘outstanding’’. Television viewership has increased by 88 per cent and social media engagement is up 266 per cent across all platforms, NZR said.
He confirmed New Zealand Rugby is in talks for a possible All Blacks v Kangaroos cross-code game in December. ‘‘It’s one of the many different options we are considering,’’ he said.