News Summary:
On July 29, 2026, New Zealand Rugby signed a three-year partnership with 2degrees, making the company its official telecommunications partner. This multi-year agreement significantly invests in high-performance pathway programs for women's rugby, supporting the Black Ferns, Black Ferns XV, Black Ferns Sevens, and New Zealand Under 18 Girls programs. Previously, on July 28, 2026, New Zealand Rugby announced its support for Sir John Kirwan's Mitey mental health education program for 2026, with the All Blacks and Black Ferns assisting in raising awareness for young New Zealanders' mental wellbeing. Earlier, on July 23, 2026, New Zealand Rugby appointed former Cabinet minister Peeni Henare as Kaihautū Māori. Henare brings extensive leadership experience from governance, public service, and executive leadership, alongside a commitment to te ao Māori. This follows the July 21, 2026, announcement of New Zealand Rugby's new talent-identification system, which has already generated 814 scouting reports at the Under-18 level. This system aims to streamline national selection processes for New Zealand Schools, Barbarians, and Māori U18 teams, and reshape broader player development at the First XV level and beyond.
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