Russ died peacefully on June 18, 2026, one day after his 80th birthday.

He represented New Zealand in billiards and finished runner-up at the national championships six times.

One of those finals was against his father, Herb Robinson, who was also a national champion. Russ also competed in national finals against leading players including Dave Meredith.

He became a respected figure in Wellington’s billiards and snooker community, both as a player and through his work in sports administration.

Former New Zealand Billiards and Snooker administrator Nigel Wilson described Russ as a fantastic player and an all-round gentleman.

“He will be missed and remembered fondly,” Wilson said.

Friends and fellow players gathered at the Johnsonville Club to farewell Russ and share stories about his life.

Kevin Bracken was among those who spoke at the gathering, alongside long-time supporters of billiards in Wellington.

Russ was also involved in cricket and rugby. He played for Naenae and Hutt Districts and was remembered as a Poneke Rugby stalwart.

Those who knew him also recalled the encouragement and knowledge he offered younger players.

A private cremation has taken place in keeping with his wishes. A further gathering for family and friends will be held at a date to be advised.

The daughter of Wellington rugby legend Jerry Collins has signed her first senior contract with English women’s rugby club Exeter Chiefs.

Honey Kerslake, 18, has said her father’s legacy remains one of the main reasons she plays rugby.

“His inspiration has been one of my biggest driving factors to play rugby,” she said earlier this year.

“My family in New Zealand still tell stories of everything that he brought to his community, on and off the pitch.”

Collins played 48 tests for the All Blacks and appeared at two Rugby World Cups.

The hard-hitting loose forward became one of Wellington’s best-known sporting figures before his death in a car crash in France in 2015.

Kerslake, who grew up in North Devon, has built her own reputation as a hardworking and physical loose forward.

She began playing rugby at the age of 10 for Ilfracombe RFC before moving to Crediton for her Under-15 rugby.

She captained England Under-18 this year and also made her England Under-21 debut.

Kerslake recently completed her A-Levels at Exeter College, where she was part of the team that won the ACE Girls League at Allianz Stadium last year.

She has also trained with the Exeter Chiefs senior squad and was part of the club’s Under-23 programme.

Chiefs assistant coach Oli Bishop said the club had been watching her progress closely.

“Honey is clearly an exceptional player who has benefited from our pathway system at Exeter College,” Bishop said.

“She was also part of our U23s squad and she has already trained with us this season, so we have been keeping a close eye on her.”

Bishop said Kerslake’s selection for England Under-21 while still eligible for the Under-18 side showed her potential.

“We look forward to watching her develop in the Exeter Chiefs environment and supporting her first steps as a professional rugby player.”

Kerslake will join the Chiefs for pre-season ahead of the JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

“I’m excited and grateful to start this new chapter with Chiefs, to challenge myself and grow as a player,” she said.

The awards recognise volunteers and not-for-profit groups contributing to communities across the wider Wellington region.

Wellington City winners and runners-up will be announced at an awards function in late July. Local winners will then go forward to the regional awards, where they will compete for the overall award in their category and the Supreme Winner title.

The Wellington City finalists are:

A–F

Bella & Bio-Bot (Youth-led STEM Storytelling Initiative)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wellington
Birth Wise
Cats Protection Wellington
Challenge 2000 Foodbank
Community Networks Wellington
Compassion Soup Kitchen
Devbhoomi Charitable Trust
Ekta NZ
FEET with Heat 4dance Studio
Franken Art Bursaries (FAB)

G–M

Ghost Diving Wellington
Good Bitches Baking Wellington
Great Harbour Way Trust
Interpreting New Zealand
Kaicycle Inc
Karori Lions Club
Katherine Mansfield House & Garden
Kauri Theatre Company Incorporated
Kia Ora Netball Club Wellington Incorporated
Kiwi Sports Network (KSN)
Leififi Boxing Gym (LBG)
Life Flight
Madoc Benfell Memorial Trust
Mary Potter Hospice
Matairangi Trail Builders
MenzShed Wellington in Hataitai
Mothers Network

N–S

New Zealand Cricket Museum volunteers
New Zealand Red Cross – Wellington
Newtown Budgeting and Advocacy Service (NBAS)
North City Cricket Club
Nourish Trust
NZ Eid Day – Wellington
Onslow Historical Society
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust
Pakistan Association of Wellington New Zealand (PAWNZ) Inc.
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa (PADA)
Rainbow Wellington
Roadworn Upcyclers
Rotary’s Lifting the Lid on Youth Mental Health
Seatoun AFC
Signature Tautai Trust
South Coast Arts Trail
Sri Lankan Seniors’ Association
Swimming Wellington Technical Officials

T–Z

Take 10
Tawa Brownies
Tawa Junior Rugby Football Club
Tawa School Whānau & Friends
Te Aka – Wellington East Girls College
Te Aro Eats
Te Toi Mahana Kaitiaki
The Circus Hub
The Nepalese Society of Wellington
The Nest Collective NZ Charitable Trust
The Runathon – Wellington College
Tiriti Action Group Pōneke
TSKF-ISKF Wellington Dojo
Tu Tagata Secondary Schools Poly Festival – Wellington
United Nations Youth Wellington
VietKidsNZ
Vogelmorn Community Group Trust (VCG)
Waitangi parkrun
Wellington Basketball Association
Wellington City Mission – Whakamaru
Wellington Community Revitalisation Society
Wellington Family & Foster Care Association
Wellington Free Ambulance
Wellington Indian Association
Wellington Kidney Support Society – WELLKiSS
Wellington Kids Cricket Community
Wellington Samaritans
Wellington Softball Association
Wellington Sri Lankan School
Wellington Volunteer Coastguard
Wellington Women’s Health Collective
Wellington Writers Walk
WIT (Wellington Improvisation Troupe)
World Marudào Karate Organisation
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Award categories cover art and culture, education and child or youth development, health and wellbeing, heritage and environment, and sport and leisure. A Rising Star Award also recognises emerging groups.

Wellington Airport and the region’s five councils have run the awards since 2004.

The 21-year-old academy product will join the Phoenix for the 2026/27 A-League season, three years after leaving Wellington to sign with Ipswich.

Gray has played for Ipswich’s under-21 side and gained senior experience during loan spells with Chelmsford City, Braintree Town and League Two club Harrogate Town.

He also represented New Zealand at last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, starting all three matches before earning an All Whites call-up.

Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre said Gray had developed significantly during his time in England.

“We’re delighted to have Henry back at the Phoenix,” Greenacre said.

“He’s played close to 100 games of first-team football now, so will be right up there with any young goalkeeper in the A-League.”

Greenacre said Gray’s time with Harrogate, which was fighting to remain in League Two, had helped make him a stronger goalkeeper, leader and professional.

Gray will compete with Alby Kelly-Heald and Eamonn McCarron for the Phoenix’s number one jersey.

Greenacre said the competition would benefit all three goalkeepers, who will work under returning goalkeeping coach Paul Gothard.

“They’ll compete, they’ll push each other hard on a daily basis and when you have competition for places like that it brings the best out of everyone.”

Gray said the chance to work with Greenacre and Gothard was a major reason for returning to Wellington.

He worked with Greenacre during New Zealand’s Under-20 World Cup campaign and said he enjoyed training under him.

“When I found out Goffy was coming back it was a no-brainer to come to Wellington on loan and play a season here,” Gray said.

“He was my main goalkeeper coach growing up. He got me to where I am today.”

Gray previously spent time with the Phoenix first team during the 2021/22 season, joining the squad in Sydney as a teenager after goalkeeper Oli Sail was injured.

He described the campaign as one of his favourite seasons in football.

Gray is Wellington’s second off-season signing following the return of former Phoenix defender James McGarry from Brisbane Roar.

The club has also farewelled several players since the end of last season, including Tim Payne, Ifeanyi Eze, Manjrekar James and goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi.

Performances are at 7.30pm on Thursday and Friday, followed by shows at 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.

The three-work programme celebrates the RNZB’s heritage and the artists who have helped shape ballet in New Zealand.

Its centrepiece is the New Zealand premiere of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering, presented as a centenary tribute to Southland-born ballerina Rowena Jackson.

Ashton created the ballet for The Royal Ballet’s 25th birthday in 1956.

Jackson and her husband, Philip Chatfield, were members of the original cast, alongside Wellington-born dancer Alexander Grant and Bryan Ashbridge.

All four later made significant contributions to ballet in New Zealand as dancers, teachers and directors, including through their connections with the RNZB.

The Wellington performances will also form part of Ashton Worldwide 2024–2028, an international celebration of Ashton’s work.

Former Royal Ballet principal Laura Morera, who is staging Birthday Offering, said Ashton’s choreography combined speed, softness and musicality.

“Ashton for me is pure musicality. The contrast between the speedy footwork and the softness of the upper body challenges and rewards equally,” she said.

The programme also includes Sarah Foster-Sproull’s Ultra Folly, a highly physical work inspired by the rhythmic energy of La Folia.

Created in 2020, the work celebrates the pleasure of moving to music with others and the importance of human touch and connection.

Andrea Schermoly’s Stand to Reason completes the programme.

The work draws on New Zealand’s suffrage movement and the courage of the women who fought for the vote.

It was inspired in part by the 1888 pamphlet Ten Reasons Why the Women of New Zealand Should Vote and combines athletic, defiant and tender choreography.

The RNZB has dedicated its 2026 Winter Season to the late Matz Skoog.

Friday’s performance will include a pre-performance talk, while the Saturday evening show will include the RNZB’s Warm Up, Curtain Up experience.

The programme runs for about one hour and 30 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. Bookings are open through the RNZB.

Jordan’s three tries lifted his career tally to 50 from 56 Tests, passing former winger Doug Howlett’s record of 49.

The All Blacks scored seven tries to claim their second win of the inaugural Nations Championship, following their 34-32 victory over France in Christchurch.

Italy made a strong start, with midfielder Tommaso Menoncello crossing in the third minute after breaking through Billy Proctor’s tackle.

Lock Sam Darry responded for New Zealand before Tommaso Allan kicked a penalty to put Italy back in front.

Jordan scored his first try on the half-hour mark, giving the All Blacks a narrow 14-10 lead at halftime after a scrappy opening 40 minutes.

New Zealand took control early in the second half, scoring four tries in 14 minutes.

Cam Roigard and Ethan de Groot crossed before Jordan added two tries in quick succession, first equalling and then passing Howlett’s record.

Italy lock Niccolò Cannone was shown a yellow card for making contact with Roigard’s head at a breakdown. The card was later upgraded to red following a review.

Italy replacement Leonardo Marin scored midway through the second half, while All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i completed the scoring with a try after the final hooter.

Italy also lost fullback Tommaso Allan, who was stretchered from the field with an apparent chest injury.

The All Blacks will host Ireland in Auckland next week, while Italy will face Australia in Perth.

The All Blacks will face Italy at Hnry Stadium on Saturday, July 11, as part of the inaugural Nations Championship.

The 32,450-seat test is sold out. Stadium gates open at 3pm ahead of the family-friendly 5.10pm kick-off, while all parking at the venue has also sold out.

Fans can meet selected All Blacks at Rebel Sport on the corner of Cuba and Manners streets from 10.30am to 11.30am on Saturday.

From 2pm, waterfront lighting will support fans walking towards the stadium. The Cable Car tunnels will also be lit with the New Zealand flag in one tunnel and the Italian flag in the other.

Extra public transport

Extra trains will run on the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti and Johnsonville lines before and after the match.

People with match tickets or stadium membership passes can travel on Metlink buses and trains at no extra cost throughout Saturday. Tickets must be shown to the driver or onboard staff.

The offer does not include harbour ferries, Airport Express buses or Te Hunga Whaikaha Total Mobility taxis.

An additional harbour ferry sailing will leave Queens Wharf at about 7.30pm after the match, but bookings are required. Metlink is advising passengers to travel early and expect busy services.

Matariki on the waterfront

Matariki Ahi Kā is also scheduled along the Wellington waterfront from 6pm to 9pm during the long weekend.

The free, whānau-friendly celebration features fire installations, projections, live performances and kai.

Thursday night’s programme was cancelled because of bad weather. People planning to attend the remaining sessions should check Wellington City Council’s event updates before travelling.

Other school holiday attractions include the pop-up ice rink at Queens Wharf and LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Drivers are encouraged to consider other routes or forms of transport because of the large crowds. Pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders should also take extra care around the waterfront and stadium area.

The Wellington Rugby Referees Association said its executive committee made the decision after three more referee abuse incidents were reported on Saturday.

WRRA President and Chair Ben Van Berkel said the association had previously advised the Wellington Rugby Football Union that it would not appoint referees if abuse continued.

He said there had already been 19 reported incidents of verbal abuse towards referees this season.

Van Berkel said the incidents had occurred across junior club rugby, secondary schools rugby and senior club rugby.

WRRA said reports had come from referees and members of the public, and that the abuse had come from players, club and school volunteers, and spectators.

“The WRRA continues, and will continue, to support Wellington Rugby but we have a duty and obligation to support and protect our members first and foremost,” Van Berkel said.

He said the decision was not made lightly, but the association believed all reasonable options had been exhausted.

WRRA has advised Wellington Rugby Football Union chief executive Tony Giles of the decision and said it looked forward to working closely with him on the issue.

Wellington News has contacted Wellington Rugby Football Union for comment.

The main game tips off at 7.30pm, with the Rapid League game scheduled for 6.30pm.

The Saints said the match is a big home game, with seven games left in the regular season and a strong home record to defend.

Friday’s game is part of the club’s Friday Night Lights event, brought to fans by NW Group.

The Saints are chasing back-to-back championships in the 2026 season after winning the 2025 title against the Southland Sharks.

Coach Aaron Young is again leading the side, while Hutt Valley local Jordan Hunt has returned after representing New Zealand in the Tall Blacks.

The club’s 2026 regular season includes nine home games at TSB Arena, with the season running from 12 April to 25 July.

Tickets for Friday’s game are available through Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/mills-albert-wellington-saints-v-nelson-wellington-26-06-2026/event/

Aquila Peleseuma, 11, is the youngest of three siblings and the son of former Wellington rugby player Opetera Peleseuma and Stacee Peleseuma, who is of Māori and German heritage.

RNZ Pacific reported Aquila will join Paris FC’s development pathway from next year, with the club expected to officially contract him from 2029. The agreement means no other club can take him before he enters the academy pathway.

Paris FC will also cover his education costs and provide what he needs to develop academically and in football.

Aquila said the opportunity meant a lot to him.

“I feel happy about it and it means something great to me, because not all Polynesians can do what I can do at my age,” he told RNZ Pacific.

“I am also proud because I don’t know any other Samoan or Pasifika kid who’s playing soccer and in the same position.”

Aquila plays as a winger. He first picked up football while playing with friends near the family’s home in France.

His father, Opetera, moved to France for rugby in 2017 before the rest of the family joined him. The children grew up learning French as well as English while moving between towns as Opetera’s rugby career required.

The family later settled in Rouen, about 135 kilometres north-west of Paris. Opetera said a friend’s father noticed Aquila’s ability while he was playing outside and encouraged the family to get him into a club.

Opetera, who previously played for the New Zealand under-20 side, the Wellington Lions, the Hurricanes and Hutt Marist Old Boys, said football had not been a sport the family expected their children to take up.

He said the Paris FC opportunity was a door opening for Aquila, but the work ahead would be up to him.

“We’re just grateful as parents that they’ve showed the confidence in him,” he told RNZ Pacific.

Stacee said she was proud of the commitment Aquila had shown at training and through trials across France and Europe.

“It’s very well deserved, and I think it’s inspiring as a parent to see your child do something that they actually are passionate about,” she said.

The family said their focus now was supporting Aquila’s dream and helping him make the most of the opportunity.