Porter, fresh from overseeing the Black Ferns’ successful World Cup campaign after being seconded from High Performance Sport New Zealand, will be the head of women’s high performance at the national union.
She will oversee the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens, collaborate with Super Rugby Aupiki clubs, and lead the development of player pathways to those programmes.
"I’m really excited to be part of the long-term, sustainable success of the women’s game here in New Zealand," Porter said.
"We have a women’s high performance and talent strategy that is due to be completed early next year that will drive a lot of the work in this space and ensure we build an aligned, connected and innovative system."
Porter was Hannah Myers when her provincial career started with Otago in 1999.
She won three club banners with Otago University before moving to Auckland in 2003, and marrying former North Otago first five turned elite player agent Simon Porter.
There is a great story that the centre-fullback missed hearing of her selection in the Black Ferns for the first time as the phone was off the hook in her Castle St flat.
Porter played 22 tests in the black jersey from 2000 to 2008, winning two World Cup titles.
She also played six sevens tournaments, captaining New Zealand at the 2009 World Cup, and later held manager and campaign manager roles for both teams over several years after retiring from playing.
NZR professional manager Chris Lendrum said it was "fantastic" to secure Porter in a full-time role in rugby.
"Coming off the back of an amazing Black Ferns campaign, we know we have a huge opportunity to grow the women’s professional game and the performance structures to enable sustained success and world-class playing and training environments," Lendrum said.
"We know we have a lot of work to do. Hannah’s passion and expertise, combined with increased people and financial resource in this area, will be essential in delivering this."
