Mat Jensen has been appointed Chair of the Rowing New Zealand Board, following the organisation's Annual General Meeting and a selection process carried out in accordance with the Rowing New Zealand Constitution.
Jensen succeeds Jane Davel, whose term as both Board member and Chair concluded at the AGM. The appointment followed the Board also welcoming newly elected member Georgina Earl (née Evers-Swindell).
First elected to the Board in May 2021 and re-elected in 2024, Jensen's connection to the sport spans school, club, university, and high-performance rowing, as both an athlete and coach. He is a Life Member of North Shore Rowing Club, in recognition of his significant contribution to the sport.
His governance credentials within rowing are substantial. He has previously chaired both the Auckland Regional Performance Centre and the Auckland Rowing Association, and has served on numerous rowing committees. On the Rowing New Zealand Board, he chaired the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and played a central role in the organisation's safeguarding and integrity work, including developing a sport-wide disputes and disciplinary code along with supporting policies and frameworks.
Most recently, Jensen was a driving force behind the constitutional changes and Rule of Racing proposals adopted in 2025.
Beyond rowing, Jensen is a qualified actuary and experienced business leader who has held senior roles in the insurance industry. He holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science degrees, and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries and a Member of the Institute of Directors.
The newly constituted Board holds its first meeting in Auckland on 19 June, marking the start of Jensen's tenure as Chair and Georgina Earl's first meeting as a Board member. Rowing New Zealand acknowledged Jane Davel's leadership and service as it heads into this next period.
