The new president of football’s national body is Julian Bowden, a former age-group international from Canterbury, whose career in sport includes roles as a chief executive and as a board member.
Bowden was appointed president of New Zealand Football at their annual congress in Wellington on April 23, 2026.
A member of the NZ Football board since 2022, Bowden comes into the role vacated by Dr Johanna Wood, who held the position since 2019, before stepping away at the conclusion of her second term on the executive committee.
READ MORE: Johanna Wood to step away from role as NZ Football president in April >>>>
Dr Johanna Wood … served two terms as president.
“It is an honour to be elected to this position, and I thank the members for the faith they have shown in me,” Bowden said.
“Football has always been a part of my life, so I understand the impact it has on the thousands of players, coaches, officials, administrators, and fans, and I don’t take this role lightly.
“We are in a really exciting place, but we still have enormous potential, and I’m looking forward to working with the board, guided by the new strategy, to continue to grow and develop the game.”
Bowden played football from junior to masters’ grades, turning out for Canterbury clubs including Western, Christchurch United and Cashmere Technical.
He represented New Zealand at U-19 and U-23 levels, playing as a striker or winger.
When he was 18, Bowden represented New Zealand as an equestrian, and Dr he’s currently the chief executive of Equestrian Sports New Zealand.
He was chief executive of Mainland Football for six years (2015-21) and joined NZ Football’s executive board in 2022.
Bowden and newly-appointed vice president Rajesh Singh will serve terms of two years, reduced from four years aligned to changes decided at last September’s extraordinary congress.
Singh takes over his role from Scott Moran, who remains on the executive committee. He has a professional background as a senior executive in the telecommunications and technology sectors.
The number of executive committee members has reduced from 10 to nine, with future appointments aligned to a new skills matrix to ensure all aspects of the game are represented to grow and develop Aotearoa’s largest team participation sport.
Executive committee
The executive committee comprises:
Julian Bowden (president)
Rajesh Singh (vice president)
Cheri-Lee Atkinson
Jackie Barron
Dana Hussey
Richard Kerr-Bell
Helen Mallon
Cam Mitchell
Scott Moran
Annual report 2025
NZ Football tabled their 2025 annual report at their congress. It confirmed a net operating deficit of $4.5 million, which it says is aligned to the cyclical nature of international football ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
The budget for 2026 shows expected revenue of $43.7 million and an operating surplus of $5.4 million.
Download the annual report here >>>>
This story was first published on April 24, 2026.