Kevin Malloy Takes the Helm as New Chair of New Zealand Cricket

Kevin Malloy Elected as Chair of New Zealand Cricket

Wellington, New Zealand - On November 12, Kevin Malloy was appointed as the new Chair of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), following the departure of Diana Puketapu-Lyndon from the Board during the 132nd Annual General Meeting. Puketapu-Lyndon completed her maximum tenure of nine years as a director.

Malloy, who has been part of the NZC Board since 2019 and previously served as Deputy Chair, was chosen for the role in a meeting that took place right after the AGM, as stated in a press release from NZC.

With a robust background in sports governance and over 30 years of international commercial experience, Malloy has worked extensively with the global media agency Starcom, where he managed major accounts like Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, eventually becoming CEO of International Operations.

He is nearing the end of his three-year term as Chair of Super Rugby Pacific in December and is also a board member of Kiwibank and Tourism New Zealand.

Puketapu-Lyndon made history in 2023 by becoming the first woman and the first individual of Māori descent to lead NZC after joining the Board in 2017.

During the AGM, the Board Appointments Panel recommended the election of Raewyn Lovett ONZM and Jono Brent to the Board, while Anna Campbell and Ali Shanks were re-elected for another three-year term.

Mike Devonshire, whose term was also up for renewal, was not recommended for reappointment and will leave the Board after three years.

Lovett brings over 20 years of governance experience in both New Zealand and international sports, having chaired organizations such as Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand, and co-chaired the International Working Group on Women and Sport.

Brent has two decades of experience as a Chartered Accountant and has previously served as chief executive in the infrastructure sector. He chaired Canterbury Cricket for three years and has recently focused on developing the Community Cricket New Zealand strategy.

Malloy expressed gratitude towards Puketapu-Lyndon and welcomed the new Board members, stating, “I want to begin by thanking Diana for her nine years of dedicated service to this Board, especially during challenging times for the sport.”

He added, “It’s a privilege to lead NZC as Chair, and I fully recognize the significance of cricket to many New Zealanders. I also appreciate Mike Devonshire’s contributions over the past three years and welcome Raewyn and Jono, who bring exceptional governance and community cricket expertise.”

Malloy acknowledged the evolving landscape of cricket, emphasizing the need for adaptation. “The cricket environment is changing rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. This is an exciting time for NZC, especially with India’s vibrant tour and upcoming major events for our BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS, including co-hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2028,” he noted.

He highlighted the potential of NZ20, the proposed domestic T20 competition, stating, “NZ20 is an aspirational concept with incredible potential, and we are optimistic about updates from the NZ20 Establishment Committee soon.”

Malloy concluded by stressing the importance of growing the game, acknowledging the competition for attention from various sports and entertainment options. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that Kiwis continue to connect with and enjoy cricket,” he remarked.

The AGM also saw former NZC and ICC Chair Greg Barclay CNZM honored as a Life Member for his significant contributions to the sport, while former WHITE FERN Rachel Pullar, former BLACKCAP Gary Troup ONZM, and international umpires Steve Dunne and Steve Woodward were appointed Honorary Members for their exceptional service to cricket in New Zealand.

Mark Greatbatch, a former BLACKCAPS player and coach, continues as NZC President for the second year of his three-year term.

Members also approved NZC’s audited financial statements for the year ending July 31, 2026, which revealed a deficit of $7.3 million against a projected deficit of $1.8 million, as previously reported in August. NZC’s reserves currently stand at $25.2 million, with a forecasted surplus of over $10 million for FY27, largely attributed to the India men’s tour.