The last day of 2025 was a mix of reflection and recognition as New Zealand rugby league’s community paused to mourn and honour three of its most outstanding volunteers.
December 31 dawned with long-time devotees Jenny Nahu and Gary Whittle being honoured for their unstinting service to the game by being awarded the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) in the New Year Honours.
However, the mood was dampened as news emerged on the same day that one of the game’s great benefactors Bill McEntee had passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.
He spent much of his life serving the game in myriad ways.
He was a life member of his beloved Papakura Sea Eagles, a former New Zealand Rugby League Board member (made a life member in 2023) as well as being a tireless worker for Counties Manukau rugby league including terms as chair and president.
McEntee’s support of the Warriors began as a day one fan when the club arrived in 1995 while he was later a board member when Eric Watson acquired the franchise following its collapse under Tainui’s ownership.
Nahu, Bay of Plenty rugby league’s ‘godmother’, and Aucklander Whittle richly deserved their recognition.
Nahu’s passion for the game has seen her established as a constant force in the game in the Bay of Plenty – and especially in the Rotorua area – for more than 60 years. There are few roles she hasn't filled.
Among many achievements she led the transformation of Puketāwhero Park into the central hub for rugby league in Rotorua, including project management and building development.
Nahu has always been a familiar and welcoming face for the One New Zealand Warriors facilitating visits to Rotorua for NRL trials there while she has also been associated with the club at a pathways level.
Whittle has been involved with rugby league for more than 65 years in a wide range of roles as a referee, touch judge, ground announcer, timekeeper and administrator in Northland, Waikato and Auckland.
Appointed timekeeper for Warriors games in New Zealand in 1995, he was also well-known as a ground announcer at both Carlaw Park and Mount Smart Stadium.
A former policeman, he has been a member of the Auckland Rugby League judicial committee since 1981, now serving his second term as chair.
He has been on a range of committees for the Auckland Rugby League Referees’ Association, has been a director of the Rugby League Museum Society since 2009 and chaired Auckland Police Rugby League from 1985 to 1992.
