In 1937 the New Zealand Roller Skating Association (Inc.) was founded at Christchurch. This was, chronologically, the first national body to control the sport in New Zealand. In 1954 some dissidents, who navoured the F.I.D.R.S. rules, left the parent body and formed the Amateur Roller Skating Association of New Zealand (Inc.). From 1937 to 1954 the N.Z.R.S.A. conducted the only national championships for the sport. Since then, however, both bodies have run rival New Zealand Championships.