Bernie Wood Explained

Bernard Joseph Wood (9 December 1939 – 28 April 2013) was a New Zealand rugby league administrator and sports historian.

Biography

Wood was born in Greymouth in 1939 and was educated at Marist Brothers Boys' School there. He was a member of the New Zealand Schoolboys rugby league team in 1954.^[1]

After moving to Wellington, Wood served for 24 years as secretary–treasurer or chairman of the Wellington Rugby League He was deputy chairman of the New Zealand Rugby League in 1992.^[1]

Wood was an historian of rugby league and harness racing in New Zealand, writing several books on the subjects.^[1] He edited the New Zealand Rugby League Annual from 1977 to 2002.^[2]

In the 2000 New Year Honours, Wood was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport.^[3] In 2008 he was made a life member of the New Zealand Rugby League.^[4]

Wood died of cancer at his home in the Porirua suburb of Whitby in 2013,^[5] and was buried at Whenua Tapu Cemetery, Pukerua Bay.^[6]

Books

Books written or co-written by Wood include:

• Flying sulkies: a history of the New Zealand Trotting Cup 1904–1980. Moa, Auckland (1981).
• The Cup 1904–2003: 100 years of the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Trio Books, Wellington (2003).
• The Kiwis: 100 years of international rugby league (with John Coffey). Hodder Moa, Auckland (2007).
• 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908–2008 (with John Coffey). Huia, Wellington (2008).
• Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909–2009 (with John Coffey). Huia, Wellington (2009).

Notes and References

1. News: Rugby league king left lasting legacy . 6 May 2013 . Dominion Post . 15 May 2013 . Richard . Becht.
2. News: Gentleman of league left strong legacy behind . 7 May 2013 . Kapi-Mana News . 15 May 2013 . Kris . Dando.
3. http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/node/390 New Year Honours List 2000
4. News: Rugby league administrator, historian dies . 30 April 2013 . Dominion Post . 15 May 2013 . Jonathan . Millmow.
5. News: Bernie Wood obituary . 2 May 2013 . New Zealand Herald . 9 May 2013 .
6. Web site: Burial details . Porirua City Council . 31 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052120/http://www.pcc.govt.nz/cemetery/popup_details.asp?id=26903 . 4 March 2016 . dead .