(Reuters) -New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson will step down from the role at the end of the year, the governing body said on Monday.
The former All Blacks centre took charge of NZR in January 2020 and helped guide the organisation through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first year of his tenure.
Robinson, who said he would join his family in Australia after stepping down, was confident he was leaving NZR in a strong position.
"My focus now is on supporting the board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England," he said in a statement.
"We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar."
Robinson, who replaced Steve Tew, played nine tests for the All Blacks and finished his playing career in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers.
He then returned to New Zealand as chief executive of the Taranaki Rugby Union in 2007 and was appointed to NZR's board in 2013.
"Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this," NZR chair David Kirk said.
"Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis. We also understand Mark's desire to relocate to Australia where his family are now all living."
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
