This page explains how nzrugbyhistory.co.nz uses artificial intelligence (AI) in its editorial work. In short: AI helps us research and draft, and a person reviews, checks and edits every text before it is published. We think readers have a right to know how the content they read is produced, so we set it out here.
How we use AI
We use AI writing tools, known as large language models, as an aid at certain stages of our work. In practice that means:
- Research support – gathering background on a topic and pointing us towards sources worth checking.
- Structure – suggesting how a long article could be organised so that it is easy to follow.
- First drafts – producing an initial version of a text that the editor then reworks.
- Language – tidying up wording, spelling and consistency.
AI is a tool in our process, not the author of record. It does not decide what we publish, and it never has the final word on a fact.
Our human review
Every article goes through an editor before it reaches the site. That review includes:
- checking dates, scores, names, caps and records against reliable sources;
- removing or correcting anything that is wrong, unsupported or out of date;
- rewriting passages that are unclear, repetitive or generic;
- adding context that explains why a match, a player or a trophy matters;
- making sure the article answers the question a reader actually came with.
AI tools can state incorrect things with great confidence, and sports history is exactly the kind of subject where that causes problems. A mixed-up year or an invented scoreline looks just as convincing as a real one. For that reason we treat every figure in a draft as unverified until a person has checked it.
Why we are open about it
Many websites use AI without saying so. We would rather be upfront. Being open about our methods lets you judge our content for yourself, and it holds us to the standard we describe on this page.
What matters to us is whether an article is accurate and useful, not which tools were involved in producing it. That is also the approach search engines such as Google describe in their guidance on helpful content: the quality of the result counts, whatever the method behind it.
Fact-checking and responsibility
Responsibility for everything published on nzrugbyhistory.co.nz rests with the editorial team, not with a piece of software. Our editor reviews each article before publication and is accountable for its content.
Wherever we can, we check facts against primary and official sources, such as the records kept by New Zealand Rugby and World Rugby, tournament organisers, and public reference works such as Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand and NZHistory.
Rugby records change as new matches are played. A page that was correct when it was written can fall out of date after a single test match. We revisit our articles and update them, but if a current figure matters to you, check it against an official source as well.
Our content is information, not an official record
The articles on this site are general information about rugby and its history. They are not official statistics, and nzrugbyhistory.co.nz does not speak for New Zealand Rugby, any provincial union, any club or any team. Pieces about equipment, such as boots and balls, are general background and not professional, medical or coaching advice.
The full conditions for using the site are set out in our terms of use.
Found an error?
Despite careful checking, mistakes can slip through. If you find a wrong date, an incorrect score or anything else that does not look right, please tell us through our contact page. A link to the page and a short note on what is wrong is all we need. We review every report and correct confirmed errors as quickly as we can.
Last updated: October 2026.