PADDY O'BRIEN

PRESIDENT

ONZM

Paddy is a proud Southlander who served in the New Zealand Police before becoming the World’s first professional rugby referee, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. Since then, his focus has been on training and supporting referees, firstly as World Rugby 15s Referee Manager and currently as the Sevens Referee Manager. 

Married to Carolyn, they have four adult children and three grandchildren. Born and educated in this wonderful province he has been a trustee on the ILT board since 2016 before being elected President in 2022.

Paddy has a particular interest in ensuring the elderly and sick who are the most vulnerable in our society are treated with respect compassion and dignity. He is on the Board at Calvary Hospital and is a Director of the Hawthorndale Dementia Care Village which is currently building a revolutionary and innovative care village here in Invercargill.

He looks forward to contributing back to the community after having been well supported by the people of the province and ILT for many years.

Other Board Members