Steve Tew calls time as NZRU boss after 12-year reign

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew is leaving his position at the end of the year after 12 years in charge of New Zealand's national game.

Tew will depart New Zealand rugby at the same time as All Blacks coach Steve Tew, who is also finishing up after the Rugby World Cup.

"After much reflection I've decided that this is the best time for me to make way for someone else to lead New Zealand Rugby into the future and a new phase for our national game," Tew said in a statement Wednesday.

"There are new and exciting changes coming as a result of the upcoming new international calendar; a changing broadcast environment as well as a new All Blacks head coach to be appointed, so it's the right time for me."

Tew has spent 25 years in rugby administration, as chief executive of the Canterbury Rugby Union and Christchurch-based Crusaders Super Rugby franchise before joining New Zealand Rugby in 2001.

He succeeded Chris Moller as chief executive of the national body in 2007.

New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup twice during his tenure, in New Zealand in 2011 and in Britain in 2015.

But he leaves at a challenging time for rugby in New Zealand with a new broadcast deal to be struck in a fast-changing broadcast landscape and with male participation falling, although female participation is rising.

Tew said he was looking forward to new challenges but still hopes to contribute to rugby in some way.