Whetu Rangi and Mel Manley are the latest additions to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Rugby Board. Each brings with them a wealth of experience and skills in their respective domains.  

Bay of Plenty Board Chairman Scott Kahle says, “we are fortunate to have the calibre of Whetu and Mel now involved in the board structure at the BOPRU. As you can see from the following comments on their backgrounds they align very well to our capability and inclusion matrix as we aim to identify people with these strong characteristics to help govern the Union’s strategic direction. 

“The appointments panel of Bruce Cameron, Errol Brian and myself were very impressed with these two individuals and the Union looks forward to working with them.” 

Whetu Rangi is the Head of Māori Business Growth for BNZ and has been involved in the banking industry for nearly a decade. Whetu's role includes building relationships between BNZ and Māori stakeholders and facilitating financial solutions for Māori organisations and businesses.  

Whetu is a young man with a proud Eastern Bay heritage. He was born in Whakatane and raised in Waimana and Rerewhakaaitu, respectively. Whetu played his junior ranks with the Reporoa and Kahukura rugby clubs before playing for Rotorua Boys' High as a teenager. His first senior men's rugby game was as a 16-year-old and he now plays for Tauranga Sports.  

"My first senior rugby game was when I was 16 playing for the senior Waimana team in our Tuhoe Ahurei," says Rangi. 

"I have whakapapa back to Waimana and Ruatoki rugby clubs. I will go back and play for them at Ahurei or Māori club trophy games." 

Whetu expressed gratitude and excitement when asked about his induction to the BOPRU Rugby Board. He is especially passionate about supporting Eastern Bay rugby. 

"I have a huge emotional investment in the community game throughout the Bay of Plenty. A big part of my drive to support the Union is supporting and uplifting the region's community game. I hope we can soon see an Eastern Bay team back in the premier division." 

Mel Manley comes from an impressive background in human resources and business. After spending 15 years abroad, Mel returned to New Zealand in 2021 where she now works part-time for Quayside Holdings (an investment entity) as their Corporate Services Manager while continuing to run her own H.R. and business consultancy. Mel is also an event manager for Beach Rugby Australia and New Zealand. 

"I have a strong bent towards people capability and development, believing strongly in personal leadership across all levels to create positive outcomes for both an organisation and the community they serve," says Manley. 

"I'm hoping my leadership and macro comms/stakeholder engagement background will lend another string to the bow of the Board, as well as my commercial knowledge and event management skill-set." 

Mel also comes from a "rugby mad" family background. Her son currently plays at Tauranga Boys' College, and she has extensive experience behind-the-scenes with the game.  

"I have been a Club Secretary for a rugby club in Australia. As previously mentioned, I have also been involved since the inception with Beach Rugby Australia/NZ as their Event Manager," says Manley. 

"We run six events and growing each year, with our first foray into NZ in December 2022. I have good networks within the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia.” 

When asked what excited her most about her induction to the BOPRU Rugby Board, Mel had the following to say. 

"I am looking forward to working within a team of like-minded and experienced individuals to create outstanding outcomes for the Bay of Plenty region in all facets of the rugby community. Weaving both my love of rugby and my capability together into one."

Article added: Wednesday 14 September 2022