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Stephen John TewONZM (bornc. 1958)[1] is a New Zealand sports administrator. He was thechief executive officer ofNew Zealand Rugby from 2008 to 2019.[2]
Tew attended college atHutt Valley High School inLower Hutt and then graduated fromVictoria University of Wellington with a master's degree in recreation and administration.[1][2]
Tew has three daughters with his wife, Michele, includingRuby Tew, who represented New Zealand inrowing at the 2016 Olympics.[3]
Tew's career in sports administration began in 1982 as secretary-general of the New Zealand Universities Sports Union. He served in that role until 1987, when he became the general manager of theHillary Commission. From 1996 to 2001, he was chief executive of theCanterbury Rugby Union and theCrusaders.[1][4]
Tew joined Rugby New Zealand as general manager in 2001, and became deputy chief executive in 2003.[4] He took over as chief executive fromChris Moller after the poor showing of theAll Blacks in the2007 Rugby World Cup. Under Tew's tenure, Rugby New Zealand suffered its worst financial result ever in 2009/2010, losing $15.9 million in 2009 due to the global economic recession and investments due to hosting the2011 Rugby World Cup, before taking steps to improve its revenues, including signing a five-year broadcast deal and securing a sponsorship with Adidas through to 2019.[5]
Tew stepped down from his position as CEO of New Zealand Rugby at the end of 2019.[6] In 2020, he was contracted bySport New Zealand to conduct a review of the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic on professional sports in New Zealand.[7]
In the2020 New Year Honours, Tew was appointed anOfficer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby and sports administration.[8]