Rugby League in New Zealand: A People's History

Ryan Bodman

Sep 2023 · Bridget Williams Books

About this ebook

This is the story of a sport told through its communities. Rugby League in New Zealand: A People’s History unveils the compelling journey of a game flourishing against the odds.

Beginning with the game’s introduction to the country in 1907, Ryan Bodman reveals the deep-rooted connections between rugby league’s development and the evolving cultural fabric of New Zealand. By questioning the mythic status of rugby union in the nation’s identity, this history highlights how power, politics and people have collectively shaped the country’s sporting scene.

Drawing on first-hand interviews and a wide range of illustrations and archival material, Bodman locates rugby league history in working-class suburbs, and among Kiingitanga Māori, Pasifika migrants, and clubs and communities across the country. The people behind the game share accounts of change, triumph and resilience, while emphasising rugby league’s lasting influence on New Zealanders’ lives.

About the author

Ryan Bodman is a Mount Maunganui-raised, Auckland-based historian with an MA in history from the University of Auckland. He has published articles in academic journals, conducted oral history interviews for Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and served as a contracted report writer for the Waitangi Tribunal's Te Rohe Pōtae general inquiry.