its successors, Fletcher Energy. From October 2005 to December 2008 he was chief executive officer of Fairfax Media—publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review in Australia; and The Dominion Post and The Christchurch Press in New Zealand. On occasions he wrote articles for Fairfax - commentating on rugby when journalists were on strike. His most recent involvement with rugby came in late 2009, when he led an independent arbitration panel appointed by SANZAR to settle an impasse between its three member unions (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) over whether the planned 15th franchise in the Super Rugby competition would be awarded to Australia or South Africa, Ultimately, Melbourne was chosen and began play in 2011. On 24 October 2011, Kirk was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame alongside all other Rugby World Cup-winning captains and head coaches from the tournament's inception in 1987 through to 2007 (minus the previously inducted John Eales). Current business roles Co-founder and current Managing Partner of Bailador Investment Management Chairman of the Board at The Hoyts Group, a position he has held since July 2009 Chairman of the Board at Trade Me Group. Chairman of Standard Media Index Ltd (investee of Bailador). He is also a director of a number of companies, including: Forsyth Barr Ltd Pacific Fibre Ltd Viocorp International Ltd (investee of Bailador) Kirk is a member of the Lord Howe Island Board, having been appointed by the NSW Minister for the Environment as the representative of business and tourism on the board, a specified position on the board. He was appointed on 27 November 2018 and will remain on the board until 26 November 2021. Notes and references External links David Kirk profile at New Zealand Rugby Museum "Whole new ball game" — Sydney Morning Herald biography published 27 August 2005 ESPN Profile 1960 births New Zealand international rugby union players Alumni of Worcester College, Oxford Living people World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees New Zealand rugby union players Oxford University RFC players New Zealand Rhodes Scholars Rugby union scrum-halves University of Otago alumni People educated at Whanganui Collegiate School New Zealand republicans New Zealand National Party politicians New Zealand sportsperson-politicians New Zealand Members of the Order of the British Empire Rugby union players from Wellington City