We have 3000 native trees to plant at the Great Living Legends Muck In at Uretiti in 2013. Register now to join us at the event!
Check out who the 17 Rugby Legends are here
Northland
Living Legends is planting at the Uretiti Rest Area which is located on State Highway 1 just south of Ruakaka and forms part of the Bream Bay coastal reserve. The long strip of land between State Highway 1 and Bream Bay beach is a high priority for restoration, with some work already undertaken by a local community group. However the weediness, and extent of area to be tackled, is a daunting challenge for any voluntary group.
Noah gets the trees out of the truck ready to plant at the Northland planting day
Living Legends gives impetus and support to this local initiative and raise the profile of an initiative that has potential to transform this beautiful coastline. With the help of volunteers and Rugby Legend Richie Guy, we have now planted 7500 native trees at the Uretiti Rest Area, with 5000 planted during Rugby World Cup in 2011 and a further 2500 planted in 2012. Living Legends will return to continue planting in this area in 2013.
The severe drought in early 2013 has had a significant impact on the Uretiti site and some areas, particularly our 2012 plantings will need to be replanted this year. The almost pure sand substrate and the presence of rabbits makes this one of our most challenging sites.
Check out the photos from the 2012 Northland Great Living Legends Muck In
View the planting location on Google maps in a new window
35°56' 1" S
174°27' 21" E
Events
Registrations for this event close midnight, Wednesday, 28 August, 2013.
Rugby Legend - Richie Guy
Richie Guy’s considerable feats as a player have been a little overshadowed by his prominence as a rugby administrator in later years. But despite a late start as a representative, Richie Guy was a leading player for many years with a flair for scoring tries.
Richie made the North Auckland (now Northland) side in 1966 when he was 25. By the time he retired in 1974 he had played 91 matches for the union, including the 1971 Ranfurly Shield win over Auckland, the game he says was one of his greatest rugby memories.
In 1971 Richie trialled for the All Blacks and won a place in the series against the touring British Lions, playing in all four tests.
Though his 109-match first class career concluded in 1974 Richie continued playing for his Waipu club and it was from there he began an illustrious administrative record.
By 1981 he was chairman of the North Auckland union. He then joined the New Zealand Rugby Union council in 1984 and in 1995-96 he was chairman, continuing that role when a board was introduced until 1997.
Richie Guy at the 2012 Northland Living Legends event
In his early years on the NZRU council Guy acted as the All Black manager. He took the touring team to France in 1986 after earlier that year managing the Baby Blacks. In 1987 he was manager of the side which won the inaugural Rugby World Cup. As chairman he faced many major challenges including the shift to professionalism and for a time the possible loss of leading players to the rebel World Rugby Corporation.
Richie’s greatest feeling of satisfaction came with his negotiating the SANZAR agreement. SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) is the body which operates Super Rugby and Tri Nations competitions. It is a joint venture of the South African Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union, and was formed in 1996. This work substantially changed the rugby laws after that. “There was the ability to be part of a group who could influence the game on a worldwide scale” says Richie.
He’s humbled to have been selected as Northland’s Rugby Legend. “It’s a great honour, but also a little bit embarrassing!” says Richie.
News
Richie Guy helps transform Uretiti Rest Area
On Saturday 4 August, Rugby Legend Richie Guy was instrumental in planting 2000 native trees and shrubs at the Uretiti Rest Area, just south of Ruakaka in Northland. Richie Guy was selected as the Northland…
