Palenski, who has been in the job for more than five years, was appointed at the first meeting of the new board last night. Adrian Read was reappointed deputy chairman. No-one else sought the positions. Under the constitution of the union, the board votes for the chairman and deputy chairman, while the clubs and other delegates vote for the board members.
Former All Black Wayne Graham was voted on to the board at the union's annual general meeting last month, along with Read, who was up for re-election. Graham replaced Duncan Simpson.
Palenski, who is an independent board member, had said he was keen to continue as long as the board wanted him to but if they wanted him to step aside, he would.
Palenski said last night he was happy to continue in the role he had held since 2003. As the chairman of a rugby union, success for that union revolved around the performance of its senior team, he said.
The goal of the chairman and the union was undoubtedly that the Otago team won the Ranfurly Shield this season, he said. The Otago team plays Wellington in the first challenge of the year in the first round of the Air New Zealand Cup at the end of July.
It last held the shield in 1957. The rest of the board is Brent Rodger, Tony Chave, Ross Laidlaw, Trevor Stark, Steve Thompson and John Walker. The president is John Hunter.
