New Zealand Rugby has publicly apologised to former Black Ferns hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, whose social media posts sparked an independent review into the team's environment and culture.
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate pictured at the women's autumn international, Exeter, England, October 2021. Photo:
The scathing review ultimately resulted in the resignation of former head coach Glenn Moore.
Late last year, Ngata-Aerengamate posted on social media that she had suffered a breakdown during the Black Ferns end of year tour and accused Moore of making disparaging comments that affected her mental health.
The team fell to four heavy defeats to England and France on the tour.
On the back of Ngata-Aerengamate's comments, New Zealand Rugby commissioned an independent review into the culture and environment of the Black Ferns.
The review, which was completed in April, was damning and while NZR backed coach Glenn Moore at the time, he stepped down from his role days after the review was released.
Moore said he didn't agree with Ngata-Arengamate's accusations and said her comments were "misleading".
He said he quit because he felt it would be distracting for him to remain as coach.
Upon completion of the review, NZR fully accepted the review's findings and recommendations, including the findings that stated Te Kura's concerns expressed in her social media post were not isolated, and that following her breaking down on the tour, she was not properly supported or monitored.
In a statement, New Zealand Rugby said it has formally apologised directly to Te Kura and her whānau.
NZR said it has taken responsibility for the systemic failings that led to this decline.
The statement said New Zealand Rugby now wishes to repeat that apology to Te Kura publicly and reiterates its commitment to ensuring Te Kura receives the appropriate mental wellbeing and training support required to help her continued recovery.
NZR said it further reiterates its acceptance of the Review's recommendations, its commitment to ensuring their implementation moving forward and to ensuring that the Black Ferns will strive to deliver a performance culture and environment that is safe and rewarding for all.
New Zealand Rugby said Te Kura, her whānau and support elected to engage in a mediated restorative process with the national body and Glenn Moore.
That process was ongoing at the time that Glenn Moore resigned, but has now concluded.
The statement said NZR and Te Kura have addressed any issues between them and are moving forward positively.
