The Auckland Rugby Referees Association (ARRA) has one of the oldest and proudest legacies in New Zealand rugby officiating, dating back over 130 years.
Key Historical Milestones
Foundation (1895): The ARRA was officially established in 1895 under the foundational leadership of F.J. (Curly) Ohlson. Prior to this, refereeing was largely ad-hoc, handled by volunteers or players agreed upon on game day.
Early Growth (1895–1945): Over its first 50 years, the association standardized rule interpretation across the region. In 1945, the association published its first Jubilee Souvenir book documenting its rapid expansion alongside the skyrocketing popularity of rugby in Auckland.
The John Pring Era (1971): ARRA has produced 13 international Test referees. Among the most legendary was John Pring, who made history by officiating all four Test matches during the iconic 1971 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand. Today, Auckland’s top-ranked referee is awarded the John Pring Shield in his honor.
The North Harbour Split (1984): As Auckland’s population and rugby scene boomed, a faction of ARRA referees branched off in 1984 to form the North Harbour Rugby Referees Association (NHRRA) to service the newly established North Harbour Rugby Union, supported by a $1,000 startup loan from the ARRA.
Centennial and Beyond (1995–Present): Celebrating 100 years in 1995, the association entered the professional era of rugby. Today, it has grown to a membership of over 220 dedicated officials covering more than 3,100 matches annually, from junior grades to premier club rugby.
Notable Alumni & International Referees
ARRA has consistently funneled world-class talent into Super Rugby and international Test match circuits. Some notable historical and modern names associated with the association include:
John Pring (1970s Test legend)
Ben O’Keeffe (Multiple Rugby World Cups, widely regarded as one of the world’s top modern officials)
Maggie Cogger-Orr (Prominent international women’s Test referee)
Angus Mabey (Super Rugby and NPC official)
“If you want to be in the best seat in the house, become a referee.” — A traditional ARRA motto encouraging past players to take up the whistle.
