The
New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated (
NZRU) is the
governing body of
rugby union in
New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the
New Zealand Rugby Football Union (
NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it became an affiliate to the International Rugby Football Board, now known as
World Rugby, the governing body of rugby union for the world. It dropped the word "Football" from its name in 2006. The brand name
New Zealand Rugby (
NZR) was adopted in 2013.