Referees are an essential part of our game, enforcing the laws and ensuring fair play. 88 New Zealand referees have been appointed to international rugby, from William Garrard in 1899 to Angus Mabey’s debut in July 2024. A new display case tells the story of some of those who have taken to the pitch with whistle in hand (a kiwi invention by the way), tracing the game from the amateur through to the professional era and the rise of women's rugby. The cap number indicates their position within the list of New Zealanders who have refereed a Test Match, ie William Garrard #1 was the first kiwi to officiate a Rugby Union Test Match.

Frank fought during the First World War as a lieutenant with the 28th Māori Battalion and went on to manage the 1919 Māori Pioneer Team. He refereed matches between NZ and New South Wales in 1925 and 1928, and he oversaw the All Blacks test against the British Isles on 9 August 1930. As was custom at the time, the visiting team selected the referees for the test matches, and Sutherland had impressed when he took charge of the Lions v New Zealand Maori game on 9 July 1930. He was called back for the fourth test at Athletic Park, Wellington, which the All Blacks won in front of 40,000 spectators, many of whom had been queuing overnight to get in. At 6'4" (193cm) tall, he had a great vantage point over the game to spot any infringements. Frank was president of the Auckland Referees Association in 1927 but retired from refereeing in 1931 after 12 seasons. He became a selector in 1932-33 and by 1942 he was on the NZ Rugby council as the Auckland representative. After being president of NZR in 1952, he was made a life member in 1953.

Frank Parkinson was a popular referee from Palmerston North who officiated the first and second Tests against the Springboks in 1956. He also refereed the first game of the Springboks tour, in Hamilton, which Waikato won 14-10. His career as an amateur rugby referee is commemorated in the FGM Parkinson Cup, awarded by Manawatu Rugby Referees Association for Best First Year Referee. In 1989 he received an O.B.E in the queen’s birthday honours for his work as deputy chairman of the National Roads Board. In total and at all levels, Frank refereed 1039 games of rugby; a remarkable career.

Allan refereed all three French tests in 1961. This was the first time France toured to New Zealand, and the New Zealand Rugby Union selected Farquhar for three test matches. As a younger man, he had served 1 year in the army and 3 in the air force during WWII. During his long referee career, Farquhar had gained a reputation as a disciplined and fair match official. Farquhar had to use his game management techniques during the France v Waikato game at Hamilton that he officiated before the tests, tempers flared during the second half and an incident threatened to turn into an all-out brawl. Police even stepped onto the pitch, but Farquhar managed to diffuse the situation and quickly restored order. Allan also reffed the All Black’s against Australia at Dunedin and in his home province of Auckland in 1962, as well as games between provinces and touring international sides such as England in 1962, Australia in 1964 and South Africa in 1965.

Bob, as he was affectionately known, grew up in the Marlborough region and had a promising rugby career as a player ahead of him when he made his first class debut in 1939. According to the Wairarapa Times Age on 12 June 1939: "Forsyth played brilliantly and was the best back on the ground using his great pace to the best advantage and often from his own kicks smothering an opponent taking the ball. It was a great display he turned on and the huge crowd recognised it by warm applause." The Christchurch Press reported on the same match that Forsyth was "surely, a youngster that will one day wear an All Black jersey". However, WWII changed all that, when Forsyth lost his right arm in an explosion whilst serving in the Pacific. His son John Forsyth recalls that Bob did go back to rugby after the war, moving from first five to the left wing to accommodate his remaining arm, but eventually decided to switch from playing to refereeing. Based in Taranaki, he officiated several games for the 1956 South Africa Tour, and the 1958 Test Match New Zealand vs Australia. He was a popular choice amongst the British and Irish Lions for their 1959 series, but was not selected for the Test matches. He remained a first-class ref until 1966 and his son fondly remembers running the line for him at many matches growing up. John (pictured left) visited the museum on 2 April 2024 to receive his father's official Test Referee Cap.