Drummond: That’s a very good question that a lot of people have asked. I got a phone call from Warren Goddard, a well-known Cantab-slash-Crusader. He said there was a Super Rugby team potentially up for sale. Not the one that would be our first-choice, normally, but he told me who it was. Being a rugby nut, and in a reasonably good financial situation, I was interested. The Highlanders, a bit like Tasman, are probably everyone’s second pick around the country. I was excited. There were four of us. I knew Warren but I didn’t know the other two. We headed to Wellington for the final in 2015 as quiet observers, knowing that we were taking the ship next year.
You got to observe a fairly special night, then, watching the Highlanders win the title?
It was . . . yeah, it was better than special. It was great to be involved and to know that, moving forward, we were having a major contribution to that business.
What were the early months and the early meetings like as you got your head around what it was going to be like to be a director and part-owner of a rugby team?
Quite different. I’ve been involved with Tasman and I’m a life member here, so I’ve been involved with all the age groups and through to Nelson Bays-slash-Tasman. My involvement there was far more community-oriented with lots of supporters, coaches, sponsors, players, those sorts of things. Whereas, when you’re with a professional team, it’s more around the table, making business decisions for the sport rather than rugby decisions a lot of the time for the kids and their futures. So just a different level and less contact with individuals — it was all governance rather than operational.
While you came in at a time when Highlanders stock had never been higher, at least on the field, were there some challenges in the subsequent years?
Definitely. Probably my biggest challenge that I always ran into was people seeing the opportunity down at the Highlanders as . . . the lesser opportunity. That’s my frustration. Because we’ve identified and made some pretty significant players go to the forefront a lot quicker, whereas a lot of the other teams, their development programme is different. We’re probably able to get guys quicker to the top by exposing and promoting and believing. You don’t want to be the same as everybody else, and in that 10 years, we’ve had some significant players along with some significant coaches and management teams that have gone further.
Have you enjoyed the people you’ve worked with at the Highlanders?
Unbelievably. The people involved, the staff and the community have been nothing less than incredible. I’d like to think we leave it in a slightly better place than when we got it. As a team of people, we were always striving to be better and the people around us — being the staff, the coaches, the players and the community and sponsors — had just a different sort of sense of contribution and belief.
There have been some low points, and some tough times, but are the Highlanders in a healthy state?
I think we’re in a very good space. We have been up and down, and the good thing about it is the support we’ve continued to get even when we haven’t brought the results home that we would have liked. If you look at the playing group that’s not far from being announced, and the coaching group which pretty well has been announced, it just shows you that we’ve always strived to be better and to get the best people in the best spots. I’ve seen continued progress. So, yes, thumbs up.
What’s your favourite memory from your time with the Highlanders?
Probably that Lions 2017 game was pretty impressive. But I think just the relationships I’ve built within rugby have been a highlight for me. I’ve just enjoyed the ride for 10 years. It’s been bloody special for me.
I don’t know if it was strange but it was unique, to be fair. I have always wanted the best for Mitchell, as you would. Those games were sometimes difficult, but you’ve got a business and you’ve got a family, and you know what would come first. I always wanted Mitchell to do well, which he has done, but we always wanted the Highlanders as a team to do the same. It’s all right to have two teams on the day. I’m passionate about the Landers because of my involvement but I support Mitchell at all times. For him to achieve 150 games for the Crusaders and 100 for Canterbury gives you a pretty good idea that he’s been a good stalwart for those two teams.
Who has been your favourite Highlanders player during your tenure?
That’s a bloody good question. I have had a bit to do with Jimmy the Jet [Timoci Tavatavanawai]. To bring him in and to see him express himself at that level and then go to the next level was great. He came into Tasman as a bit of an unknown. Then he went to Moana Pasifika. Then he wanted to become an All Black, so he backed himself to do that with the Landers. And to still be a local guy and a mate . . . I think that’s a pretty special journey to be a part of. There have been so many good people and so many nice fellows, and it’s always difficult to pull out one, but Jimmy’s probably this little personal milestone.
Away from rugby, you’re in the car business, am I right?
It’s coming up 30 years next year for the Car Company, which I own. Before that, I did 10 years for Houston Motors, which is a Mitsubishi outlet locally. Probably my favourite things in order are family, work and rugby, and I’m involved in all three massively. The car business is something that I’m pretty well known for nationwide and I thoroughly enjoy it.
You recently become a grandfather for the first time thanks to Mitchell and his wife, Charlotte (nee Elley), who played a lot of netball for the Tactix and Magic. How are you enjoying that?
Yeah, that’s been unbelievably special, as it would be to anybody that goes through this. Theo’s just come along recently with a sporting mum and dad, and certainly a rugby-mad family. He hasn’t really got much hope.
Did you put a miniature Highlanders ball in his hand or a Crusaders ball?
Hah, I’ll let his parents decide that.
• The Highlanders name their 2026 squad next Thursday.
