“We are deeply concerned about the origin of any messaging that has the potential to undermine the reputation of cricket and cricket governance in New Zealand,” the letter states.
A consortium has approached New Zealand Cricket proposing a revamped T20 league. Photo / Photosport
The letter appears to be an attempt to repair damaging remarks about a proposed new Twenty20 (T20) league in New Zealand called NZ20 that would be partially bankrolled by private investors.
The Herald sought clarity from Puketapu-Lyndon about why she felt sending such a strongly worded letter to Shah was necessary.
She did not comment, but NZC’s public affairs manager Richard Boock said the letter was written in response to an article in Stuff which quoted a “senior source close to NZC” calling the NZ20 a “rebel league”.
“NZC wrote to the ICC to clarify that NZC did not view the proposed league in these terms,” Boock told the Herald.
Diana Puketapu-Lyndon. Photo / NZ Cricket
However, the details in the letter go a lot further than simply dismissing a claim of a “rebel league” in a single news article.
The letter also doesn’t refer to the content of the article at any stage as the reason the letter was written.
The letter begins with the heading “Player Coup/NZ20” and states “the players have not taken over cricket in New Zealand”.
“World Cricketers Association is ‘not coming for us’. There is no hostile takeover.”
The letter also sought to reassure Shah over perceived conflicts of interest and emphasised that New Zealand was a small country and all conflicts, “whether perceived or real”, are managed.
“This has been the case with the NZ20 opportunity. We take governance very seriously and uphold the highest professional standards,” the letter said.
It said the six Major Associations – the bodies that represent cricket at a regional level – consist of independent directors who are appointed following a “rigorous selection process”.
Boock said the reference to conflicts was about ensuring the ICC knew NZC was running a fair process while considering the NZ20 proposal.
Scott Weenink is New Zealand Cricket’s CEO. Photo / Alan Lee, Photosport
NZC CEO Scott Weenink spoke during the ICC’s Chief Executive Council (CEC) meeting via video link on November 7.
The Herald had been told the NZC board asked Weenink not to attend the meeting in person, but Boock said this was by mutual agreement between him and Puketapu Lyndon given that particular meeting [the CEC meeting] only lasted half a day.
“Scott and Diana agreed that Scott was better spending time in New Zealand and joining the meetings remotely, particularly given our AGM was only a few days away,” Boock said.
Weenink said he was happy to speak to the Herald but wasn’t available for an interview this week.
Roger Twose is New Zealand Cricket’s ICC representative. Photo / Greg Bowker
Twose was in Dubai and attended board meetings and part of the CEC meeting that Weenick beamed into.
However, Twose, who signed the letter that was sent to Shah, only presented the findings of the ICC future of cricket working group and then left the meeting “as he is not part of the [CEC] group”, Boock said.
Boock said he was “absolutely” satisfied that any views expressed by NZC representatives at the Dubai meetings aligned with the views of the board.
The push for a new NZ cricket league
The Central Stags in triumphant mood winning the Super Smash Twenty20 final last summer. Photo / Margot Butcher
T20 – a shorter, more exciting version of the sport – has revitalised interest in cricket globally and the letter said a proposed NZ20 league would “revamp” New Zealand’s current Super Smash T20 competition at a time when “traditional avenues for funding are under pressure”.
The letter said the concept could “potentially” involve investment by offshore and domestic private equity, franchises and a small allocation for players.
“Ownership of the league is potentially as follows: 50% private investor, 25% Major Associations, 20% franchises and 5% NZ players,” it said.
New Zealand is the only cricket-mad nation that doesn’t have a franchise model for the T20 competition.
“The concept is similar to the Caribbean Premier League and is envisioned as a boutique, city-based cricket festival in New Zealand, centred on fans, tourism, and trade, particularly in respect of strengthening a strategic partnership between India and New Zealand,” the letter said.
The letter makes it clear that the NZ20 concept is being considered by NZC alongside other options, including New Zealand entering a team in Australia’s T20 competition, the Big Bash League.
“No director holds a predetermined position on NZ20 or the Big Bash League,” the letter said.
The letter concluded by noting its contents should be considered the “definitive source of truth”.
Chairman of the NZ20 Establishing Committee, Don Mackinnon, told Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine on Saturday the time was right for New Zealand to join other nations by having its own privately backed competition.
“The money is there; the interest is there. The timing is perfect.”
Sports Minister Mark Mitchell wouldn’t say whether he was concerned about information being conveyed which was at odds with NZC’s position on NZ20, or whether he backed the plan.
“I am aware of the [NZ20] proposal and understand that New Zealand Cricket are working with the proposer and will have more to say when the time is right.”
Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter/team leader at the Herald. He won News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards and has twice been named reporter of the year at the NZ Television Awards. He has been a broadcast journalist for 20 years and joined the Herald’s video team in July 2024.