\u201cIt is not an organisation that I recognise any more, and it is not an understatement to say that I am embarrassed to have my personal name attached to the organisation at present.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lack of transparency around decision-making, the loss of key staff, the poor staff morale, poor media relations, poor public profile, the financial losses, and the lack of respect shown to, and lack of information shared with, NZC members such as the District Associations and life members, is incredibly upsetting for me to observe.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZ Cricket has today responded to the letter, with Allott defending the organisation and painting an optimistic picture of the sport\u2019s future, while Hadlee reiterated to the Herald that he wanted to see the board step aside.<\/p>\n
Hadlee said some people might ask whether his concerns were justified. \u201cMy answer is unequivocally yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
An NZC spokesman said: \u201cThe chair has confirmed that no board member has indicated that they will be standing down\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sir Richard Hadlee appeals, successfully, during his 9-52 haul against Australia in Brisbane in 1985 and (inset) at the NZ Cricket Awards in March 2026. Photos \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Hadlee\u2019s letter follows a turbulent year for NZ Cricket in which its former chief executive Scott Weenink was effectively forced out of the role, amid a political power play over the future format of New Zealand\u2019s T20 domestic competition.<\/p>\n
Morale at the organisation has fallen, and it announced last month a preliminary $7.3 million loss for the July 31 financial year, a material change from the budgeted forecast deficit of $1.8m.<\/p>\n
Hadlee, 75, played 86 tests and 115 one-day internationals for New Zealand, holding the world record at one stage for test wickets. He was the first player to take 400 test wickets, finishing his career with 431.<\/p>\n
The Hadlee family is cricketing royalty in New Zealand \u2013 Richard\u2019s father Walter and older brothers Barry and Dayle also played for New Zealand. The family name is attached to the Chappell-Hadlee trophy \u2013 regularly contested between the Blacks Caps and Australia for one-day and T20 internationals. The Sir Richard Hadlee medal is also awarded each year to the New Zealand men\u2019s cricketer of the year.<\/p>\n
Hadlee is also a former NZC board member and said in his letter that when he became a director in 2014, his first comment at the board meeting was the need to be transparent \u201con any issue that arises whether good or bad. To front-foot any issue is paramount.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his letter, Hadlee reiterated his 2014 belief that hiding behind any issue would lead to misinformation, speculation, confusion, uncertainty and mistrust. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo be accused of dishonesty then leads to an organisation lacking credibility, which appears to be the case now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I speak on behalf of most of the cricket community in New Zealand when I say that you should be looking at yourselves and your performances as CEO and governors and consider whether changes need to be made to lead NZC into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZ Cricket chief executive Geoff Allott. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u2018Something does not sound right with this report\u2019<\/p>\n
Hadlee also used the letter to formally request, as an NZC life member, a clean and unredacted copy of the recent Deloitte Report that assessed options for T20 cricket in New Zealand, along with NZC management\u2019s supporting recommendation.<\/p>\n
The spotlight has been on the NZC board after it opted for the privately run NZ20 competition \u2013 now scheduled to start in the summer of 2027\/28 \u2013 rather than having a men\u2019s team in Australia\u2019s Big Bash League (BBL) and a women\u2019s team in the corresponding WBBL.<\/p>\n
Hadlee wrote in his letter that he was interviewed for the Deloitte Report.<\/p>\n
\u201cDeloitte and NZC management indicated at the time that their report would be shared with all participants in its preparation, including myself,\u201d Hadlee wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea whether my comments were recorded correctly in the report, if in fact mentioned at all. I also note that Major Associations have signed non-disclosure agreements, [suggesting] the contents of the report [have] some sensitive information especially relating to Deloitte\u2019s recommendations rationale and NZC decisions. <\/p>\n
\u201cSomething does not sound right with this report.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the NZC board\u2019s decision to support the NZ20 proposal over the BBL\/WBBL option was at odds with feedback he had given Deloitte and NZC management.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 indeed the current direction NZC is taking in supporting the proposed NZ20 league still stands in conflict with my current view that the best option for NZC to secure the financial and operational future of NZC is to have a New Zealand team, or teams, participate in the BBL\/WBBL. This could of course be in conjunction with a privatised league in New Zealand.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hadlee said the BBL was in the top three leagues in the world, with many superstars. \u201cIt is a successful and proven concept that will deliver much needed funding to all cricket associations around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Do you know more? Please email Shayne Currie \u2013 shayne.currie@nzherald.co.nz<\/p>\n
Hadlee, whose storied career included taking 9-52 in an innings against Australia in Brisbane in 1985, said: \u201cThe transtasman rivalry will create a lot of interest and the competition will better the players\u2019 skillsets and ability to compete better on the international stage especially the women\u2019s game and grow our overall game at different levels. To have teams in the BBL will inspire younger players to aim big.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NZ Cricket board – chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon (front) and (from left) deputy chair Kevin Malloy, Mike Devonshire, Alison Shanks, Bill Birnie, Roger Twose, and Anna Campbell. Photo montage \/ Phil Welch<\/p>\n
He said NZC rejected Cricket Australia\u2019s proposal to be involved in the BBL\/WBBL \u201cwith little or no discussion\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suspect our refusal to be part of the BBL will sour relations with CA at a time when we should be building relationships.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hadlee asserted there was \u201clittle or no information\u201d about the NZ20 concept, which he believed \u201cmeans any information is being withheld or NZ20 is having issues that need explaining, especially with those people involved, the concept, the format, financials etc.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was keen to understand \u201cthe findings, analysis and conclusions arising from that process undertaken by Deloitte and NZC management\u201d.<\/p>\n
NZ Cricket\u2019s board comprises chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon, deputy chair Kevin Malloy, and directors Bill Birnie, Anna Campbell, Mike Devonshire, Alison Shanks and Roger Twose.<\/p>\n
NZ Cricket responds<\/p>\n
The Herald approached NZ Cricket at 2pm on Friday, and at 2.44pm, Allott distributed the Hadlee letter to the chief executives of the country\u2019s major cricketing associations.<\/p>\n
Allott wrote in an accompanying email that Hadlee was \u201cone of the greatest players our country has produced\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has put his name to his concerns and raised them with us directly, which we respect and take seriously. <\/p>\n
\u201cEarlier this week, after I returned from my ICC meetings in Dubai, I went and sat down with Sir Richard at his home to discuss his concerns. Sir Richard is a hero of mine and someone I look up to immensely, and I wanted the opportunity to speak face to face.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an open and honest conversation. It\u2019s been a challenging year for NZC, and I acknowledged that. There has been much change, the cricket landscape is evolving rapidly, and NZC is being challenged to adapt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took him through the progress with NZ20 and its incredible potential to transform cricket in this country from grassroots to the elite. I also explained the confidential nature of the Deloitte process, listened to his concerns, and I\u2019ve agreed to increase our communication and engagement moving forward. We don\u2019t agree on everything, and that\u2019s okay. They\u2019re genuine differences of opinion from people who care deeply about the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sir Richard Hadlee. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Allott\u2019s email did not specifically address Hadlee\u2019s suggestion that he and the board consider their futures. Nor did it indicate the Deloitte report would be released.<\/p>\n
NZC has also not responded to specific questions from the Herald and says that beyond Allott\u2019s email to the associations, there would be no further comment.<\/p>\n
In his email, Allott said he was optimistic about the future of the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve made it a real priority to get out into the network and listen. I\u2019ve met every major association chair and CEO, many DA [district association] and club leaders, I\u2019ve attended the NZC Community Cricket Hui, the High Performance forum and the Umpires and Match Referees forum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019m hearing is that our network is keen to move on from this challenging period and work together collaboratively to push the game forward. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re lucky we have so many people who care deeply about cricket in this country, and while we\u2019re not always going to agree on everything, I believe the network is aligned on moving forward together in the same direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hadlee comments further<\/p>\n
Hadlee released a further media statement this afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver many decades, I have had a deep connection with cricket in New Zealand, both personally and through my family\u2019s involvement in the game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I outlined in my letter, the Hadlee family has had almost 90 years of involvement with New Zealand cricket, including as players, selectors, administrators and supporters of the game. It is from that perspective that I wrote to the CEO and board.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy concerns are about governance, transparency, accountability and the future direction of cricket in New Zealand. Those concerns have developed over an extended period and are based on a series of events and decisions that, when viewed collectively, do not paint a positive picture of the current state of the organisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remain disappointed by the lack of transparency surrounding significant decisions that have been made by the board.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sir Richard Hadlee snares the wicket of Allan Border at the Basin Reserve in February 1986 – it was his 300th test wicket. Photo \/ Paul Estcourt<\/p>\n
In particular, he believed the Deloitte report should be made available to those who participated in it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy view is simple. The longer the report remains unavailable to key stakeholders, the greater the speculation regarding its findings, recommendations and the decision-making process that followed. Transparency builds trust. A lack of transparency creates uncertainty, misinformation, speculation and mistrust. That was my view when I served on the board, and it remains my view today.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past 12 months there have been a number of developments that have raised concerns for me and many others across the cricket community. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese include changes in board composition, the departure of key senior executives and staff, concerns regarding staff morale, concerns expressed by commercial partners and sponsors, and the treatment of key people within the organisation. Individually, some of these matters may be explained. Collectively, however, they warrant serious reflection by the board and leadership of the organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He confirmed he had discussed matters directly with Allott.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose discussions were constructive and I appreciated the opportunity to have them. However, I continue to hold the views expressed in my letter and remain disappointed that the Deloitte report has not been released more broadly.\u201d<\/p>\n
He wanted to see two things happen: the report should be released and the \u201ccurrent board should step aside and reapply through a genuinely independent appointment process, not one run by the MAs\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cSuch a process would allow members of the cricket community to have confidence that the board has been renewed and appointed through a transparent and independent mechanism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hadlee also said he was not alone in holding his concerns. \u201cA number of highly respected people within the New Zealand cricket network have expressed similar views, including former NZC president Lesley Murdoch, former New Zealand captain, Hall of Fame member, On The Front Foot podcaster Jeremy Coney, former New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan, other life members and many individuals throughout the wider cricket community. <\/p>\n
\u201cTheir concerns may not be identical to mine, but they reflect a growing unease about the direction and governance of the organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He wanted to make clear that his concerns came from \u201ca deep love of cricket and a desire to see the game thrive\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand cricket has achieved extraordinary things over many years and has been served by many outstanding people. I want to see the sport continue to prosper, strengthen its relationships throughout the cricket community, and regain the confidence of its stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood governance depends on accountability, transparency and trust. In my view, those principles need to be restored and strengthened if NZC is to move forward successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n
A turbulent year<\/p>\n
Hadlee\u2019s letter follows a turbulent year for NZ Cricket.<\/p>\n
Chief executive Scott Weenink resigned in December last year and officially left the organisation in late January. That followed a widely reported political power struggle over the future shape of the domestic game.<\/p>\n
NZ Cricket chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon (left) and former chief executive Scott Weenink. Illustration \/ Oliver Rusden; photos \/ AFP, Photosport<\/p>\n
Weenink was effectively chased from the role after a falling out with NZC\u2019s six major associations (Northern Districts, Auckland, Central Districts, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago) and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, specifically over their push and support for the breakout, private franchise T20 competition.<\/p>\n
A subsequent, savage internal NZC staff survey<\/a>, leaked to the NZ Herald, took aim at the board.<\/p>\n A summary accompanying the staff survey said: \u201cA significant portion of staff believe Scott was not supported by the board and was effectively forced out due to external pressure from parts of the network (major associations, cricket players association, NZ20 stakeholders). Many comments explicitly state he \u2018did not want to resign\u2019 and was \u2018left with no alternative\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n There were dozens of individual comments in the survey, many of them disparaging of the board. Some staff were said to be \u201cin tears\u201d, \u201cvisibly upset\u201d and \u201cdeeply unsettled\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been no actions from the board to give me confidence in the organisation\u2019s direction in the short to medium term. I am fully supportive of the SLT [senior leadership team] but am very disappointed in a weak board,\u201d said one staff member.<\/p>\n The Herald put these concerns and claims to Puketapu-Lyndon in March. She said at the time: \u201cWe\u2019re not comfortable discussing documents that were never intended for public discourse and will therefore decline to elaborate on your questions regarding staff surveys or private correspondence\u201d.<\/p>\n