Asia:NZ welcomes NZRU president and veteran journalist

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 29 July 2011

Asia:NZ welcomes NZRU president and veteran journalist to its board

New Zealand Rugby Union president and former All Black Bryan Williams and journalist Richard Long have been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Asia New Zealand Foundation (Asia:NZ).

Foundation chairman Philip Burdon has also welcomed the appointment of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise chief executive officer Peter Chrisp to the foundation’s board as an ex-officio appointment.

Mr Williams played 113 games for the All Blacks between 1970 and 1978 and was appointed NZRU president in April this year.

He already has connections to Asia:NZ’s patron, Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand. He was delivered by Sir Anand’s father, medical doctor Mutyala Satyanand. Sir Anand and Mr Williams also attended the same primary school, Richmond Road School, in Ponsonby, Auckland. “He was in the same class as my brother, and I was in the same class as his brother,” Mr Williams said.

He hoped his appointment to the Asia:NZ board would help foster sporting links between New Zealand and Asia. He said rugby was a growing sport in Asian countries, particularly with Rugby Sevens set to debut as an Olympic sport at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Mr Long was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism in the 2011 New Years Honours. He was editor of The Dominion newspaper for a decade before it was merged with The Evening Post in 2002. He briefly edited the resulting The Dominion Post before leaving journalism. He spent more than 20 years in Parliament’s press gallery and is a life member of the gallery.

Mr Long said Asia:NZ filled an important role in fostering contacts and understanding at a time when a burgeoning Asia was of increasing importance to New Zealand.

The two new appointments replace outgoing trustees Tony Nowell and Michael Park. Mr Burdon acknowledged the outstanding commitment and ongoing support both these trustees had provided during their years on the board.

Asia:NZ is a non-profit, non-political organisation dedicated to building New Zealand’s links with Asia through business, culture, education and media.
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