Former Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney New Zealand Rugby's in high performance referees' national squad

Tararua's Rebecca Mahoney has whistled her way to the top echelon of referees. Photo/Chris Kilford

Tararua's Rebecca Mahoney, a former Black Fern, has become one of two women to become the first to be selected for the elite New Zealand Rugby's high performance referees' national squad.

"Rebecca is a high achiever and what's she's doing is incredible," Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said.

Mahoney is in the world high-performance referee squad and has just returned from refereeing the playoff for fifth and sixth place at the Sydney sevens. She has also refereed internationally in Vancouver, Canada and Japan, and will be officiating at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.

"Rebecca is our outstanding female, juggling family and work and keeping it in balance," Mrs Collis said.

"We're very proud of her and she's pretty inspiring."

Mahoney has two children, Amber, 10, and Harper, who is starting school next week.

New Zealand Rugby's high performance referee manager, Bryce Lawrence, welcomed the inclusion of Mahoney and Natarsha Ganley as a positive statement about women in refereeing. The New Zealand national squad officiate at the Mitre 10 Cup, Heartland Championship and Farah Palmer Cup.

Mahoney made her Black Ferns debut in 2004 against the United States in Calgary and played until 2011. Her career included two Women's Rugby World Cup-winning campaigns in 2006 and 2010.

She played in 16 tests and scored 25 points. After retiring from international rugby, she continued to play in the WPC and was a key member of the Manawatu Cyclones in 2013 and 2014.

Mahoney is the daughter of Shirley and Neal Hull of Pahiatua and Mrs Hull said the appointment has been a "great honour".