A photo from Brentwood's New Zealand Rugby Tour student trip

Brentwood Rugby: New Zealand 2027

Building Character in the Spiritual Home of Rugby

Building “Mana”

Mana is a Maori term to describe spiritual power gained through strength, sacrifice, and nobility.

In March, 2027, the Boys and Girls Rugby Teams will go to Wellington, New Zealand, for 11 days. There are four aims for this trip:

Create lifelong memories in a country where rugby is a religion.
Build team culture by examining the values that make the All Blacks and Black Ferns so successful, using James Kerr’s book, Legacy, as a framework.
Improve our rugby skill and knowledge
Keep costs affordable

Aim One: Create lifelong memories

Games at six schools: Scots College, St Patrick’s Silverstream, St Mary’s College, Fielding High School, and Rongotai College. All of these schools have a rich history in rugby.
Plenty of non-rugby activities, including biking the Remutaka Trail, orienteering in Kapiti, visiting Te Papa (NZ’s National Museum), the NZ Rugby Museum, surfing (optional), the National Parliament, and the Zealandia bird sanctuary.
Billeting with families gives the authentic NZ experience and creates lifelong connections.

Aim Two: Build a Strong Culture

The fifteen values of the All Blacks and Black Ferns will be examined. Each day will be devoted to one of them. Some examples:

Sweep the Sheds: Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done.

Kāore te kūmara e whāki ana tana reka. The kūmara (sweet potato) does not need to say how sweet he is.

Aim Three: Build our Rugby Knowledge

Play 3-4 games against appropriate opposition.
Access to guest coaching and professional rugby players.
Hurricanes Super Rugby Match (TBC)
Tour of NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport (home of the Hurricanes Rugby Team)
Tour of NZRU offices

Aim Four: Keep Costs Affordable

Wellington as a central hub to minimize long travel days
Significant amount of billeting
High value activities rather than touristy ripoffs.
Compact tour: 11 days.
Friendly exchange rate: 1NZD=0.79CAD
Leverage pre-existing relationships.
Total cost around $5K-6K, including flights.

Draft Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Wellington, meet hosts at Scots College, sightseeing Wellington

Day 2: Practice at Scots, then tour Te Papa (New Zealand’s National Museum)

Day 3: Morning at Lyall Bay for surfing, afternoon game v Scots College

Day 4: Depart Scots, tour of NZCIS, then arrive at St Patrick’s Silverstream.

Day 5: Morning shopping at Queensgate Mall, afternoon game v Silverstream (Boys)

Day 6: Cycling Remutaka Rail Trail, then arrive at Feilding High School.

Day 7: Morning orienteering at Kapiti Coast, relaxed afternoon/evening

Day 8: Morning at NZ Rugby Museum, afternoon game v Feilding High School

Day 9:Morning at Zealandia Nature Reserve, arrive at Rongotai College.

Day 10: Morning tour of NZ Parliament; afternoon game v Rongotai College (Boys) and St Mary’s College (Girls).

Day 11: Morning beach day, afternoon departure for Canada.

A group of young men and an adult in red team jackets posing on the sidelines of a rugby stadium

Two rugby players in orange and black jerseys embrace and smile on a field

Two students in red jackets posing with long baguettes outside a bus station

Parents Welcome

We welcome any parents that would wish to come to explore New Zealand and see their adolescent child flourish in an unforgettable environment. We will assist in developing a “Supporter’s Tour” for parents. Please contact us to express your interest.