New Zealand Rugby on Wednesday named former governor general Patsy Reddy as the first female chairperson in its 130-year history.
"It is an absolute honour to be elected to the position of chair at such a pivotal and exciting moment for rugby (in New Zealand)," Reddy said.
She was elected at a meeting in Auckland, New Zealand Rugby, founded in 1892, said in a statement.
She will take over when outgoing chair Stewart Mitchell steps down in the new year.
After a long career as a lawyer, Reddy was appointed to the board of New Zealand Rugby in April having served as the country's governor general from 2016 until 2021.
Women's rugby is on the high in New Zealand after the host nation sold out Auckland's iconic Eden Park last month when the Black Ferns beat England the World Cup final.