Bernie Wood

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 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).