How did the game rugby pass throughout to new Zealand?

Answer 1

As in many British colonies, the settlers from Great Britain took the game of football with them to NZ and played under many different rules in the early and mid-19th century. Eventually the rules became more uniform and it is the Rugby code that became most popular throughout NZ by the end of the century. It has been the dominant football code ever since.

Answer 2

Rugby football was first introduced to New Zealand in 1870 by Charles John Monro, son of the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Monro. He encountered the game while studying at Christ's College Finchley, in East Finchley, London, England, and on his return introduced the game to Nelson College, who played the first rugby union match against Nelson football club on 14 May 1870. However, there are records that the Māoris were playing a ball game called ki-o-rahi which resembled Australian Rules Football prior to this.