Saveatama Eroni Clarke acknowledged 2026 New Year Honours

Former All Black and New Zealand Rugby Pasifika Engagement Manager, Saveatama Eroni Clarke, has been acknowledged in today’s New Year King’s Honours for his contribution to the Pacific community and rugby.

Clarke, becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Pacific community and sport.

He’s now using this personal experience to help create culturally competent spaces within rugby to enable Pasifika to thrive in all aspects of the game.

Congratulations to all the other recipients who have received honours. Today saw eight people with ties to rugby acknowledged.

Full list of rugby’s recipients in the 2026 New Year’s Honours:

To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Greg Barclay (NZR Board Member), for services to sports governance
Rachel Taulelei, NZR Board Appointments and Remunerations Panel (ARP) Chair, for services to business, Māori and governance.

To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Eroni Clarke (NZR Pasifika Engagement Manager), for services to the Pacific community and rugby.
Roger Drummond (Former President New Zealand Universities Rugby Football Council), for services to rugby and Māori.
Malcolm Gillies, (Hurricanes Board Chair), for services to business.

To be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Iain Potter (former Hurricanes Chair) for services to sport and health.

King's Service Order (KSO):
David Jurlina for services to rugby and the community
Nada Jurlina for services to rugby and the community