Neil Brew

Neil Brew brings a calm, grounded and deeply player-centric approach to his role as Highlanders Personal Development Manager. Highly regarded for his professionalism, authenticity and intentionality, Neil is committed to serving players with care, humility and integrity. With a strong belief in the power of relationships, work ethic and education, he supports athletes to grow not only in performance, but as people, building the capability and perspective needed to thrive in rugby and beyond.

Originally from Te Whaiti in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Neil and his wife and two children now call Dunedin home. He has built a purposeful post-rugby career in education, including recently teaching Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Haka at Otago Boys’ High School. Neil also brings lived experience from his professional rugby career, having represented Taranaki, Otago, the Highlanders, the Hurricanes and the Māori All Blacks, along with time overseas in England and Japan. He draws on this experience not as status, but as perspective, understanding the pressures of the professional game and walking alongside players as people first.