The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association was founded by New Zealand’s professional rugby players as their independent representative body in 1999. Through the NZRPA, the players work with the game’s administration to address player welfare and to contribute to the ongoing development of the game. The NZRPA helps players support each other, helps them take advantage of commercial opportunities and helps them understand and deal with life as professional sportspeople, and ensures they have an organised and credible voice at the decision-making table.