“1879 ranks as one of the most memorable in New Zealand Rugby history, for it was during that period that the first Unions were founded, one Union in each island as the season closed. To Canterbury goes the record of being the first Union to be formed. The idea of banding together for the common good brought about a meeting of delegates at Timaru, on Saturday, July 26th. The second Union founded was Wellington, a meeting on October 20th accomplishing that purpose.” (History of New Zealand Rugby Football Vol. 1 1870 to 1945 by A C Swan, page 80).
The Provincial histories in this section are listed by current province (such as Tasman RFU) although the book refers to the original province (Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay Motueka, for example). This also applies to Ashburton County (Mid Canterbury), South Auckland (Counties-Manukau), Counties, and North Auckland (Northland) and others.
