Diocese manager and rugby stalwart dies

Former Manawatū Catholic church and rugby administrator Tony Murphy has died.

Murphy was the manager of the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North for 18 years and was chairman of the Manawatū Rugby Union for six years.

Murphy, who had lived with cancer in his later years, died last Saturday, aged 69.

For his service to the church he was awarded the title Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great in May, a title awarded by Pope Francis.

Murphy was the manager of the diocese for 18 years where he worked locally and nationally, but retired at the end of last year.

At the time he said it was recognition for the work of everyone in the diocese.

His role at the diocese included supervising staffing, co-ordinating chaplaincies and being an adviser to parish councils, finance committees and school boards of trustees.

With the national Catholic Church, he was a member of the New Zealand Bishops Federation finance committee, a committee member for the New Zealand Catholic Insurance Scheme and an executive chairman for a committee establishing a new Catholic Education Office in Palmerston North.

The Order of Saint Gregory the Great was established in 1831 and is given to people who are distinguished for personal character and reputation and for notable accomplishments.

In rugby circles, Murphy was awarded life membership of the Manawatū Rugby Union in 2020.

He served on the Manawatū board from 2000 and was chairman from 2005 to 2011, a critical period for the union as the Turbos were accepted into the first division from 2006.

Three years later the then New Zealand Rugby Union wanted to cut the national provincial championship from 14 to 10 teams and Manawatū was in the gun.

The Save The Turbos campaign was launched and Murphy wrote a letter indicating Manawatū would take legal action. He attended a meeting in Auckland where it was decided to retain 14 teams.

In 2006, Murphy presided over the departure of coach Charlie McAlister and the New Zealand Rugby Union offered three coaches: former Manawatū All Black Kevin Schuler; Josef Schmidt, who had just joined the Blues; and theman Manawatū went for, Dave Rennie. Murphy was also the Marist secretary and club captain, was on the Manawatu union’s board appointments committee and the Rugby Education Trust, which provides funds to help to keep promising players in the region. He played senior rugby in Whanganui as a utility back for Kaierau and Marton Old Boys, and later for Palmerston North Marist.