There will be a change in leadership at New Zealand Cricket (NZC) as CEO Scott Weenink announced he will leave the position due to irreconcilable disagreements about the game’s future. Weenink will officially step down on January 30, 2026, capping a two-and-a-half-year term that was increasingly marred by strategic disputes despite producing impressive on-field results.
The announcement comes after months of escalating hostilities between Weenink, the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA), and a number of the six member associations of New Zealand Cricket. The main points of contention were governance, long-term priorities, and the place of Twenty20 cricket in New Zealand’s domestic system. Weenink decided to step down after realising that his alignment with important stakeholders had deteriorated over time.
After giving it some thought. It has become evident that I disagree with a number of member associations and the NZCPA [New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association] over NZC’s future priorities, particularly the game’s long-term trajectory and the ideal place for T20 cricket in New Zealand. Weenink said in a statement, cited by India Today, “Given these differences, I think it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here.”
“Although I regret leaving after such a fruitful time, I don’t want to cause more instability by continuing without the backing of some important stakeholders. I’m proud of the great success NZC has made under my leadership, and I have faith in the team members who will continue the game,” he continued.
After taking over as CEO of New Zealand Cricket in August 2023, Weenink led the national teams through a period of remarkable success. During his time, the men’s team won a historic Test series in India in 2024, the women’s team won the Women’s T20 World Cup, and the team advanced to the Champions Trophy final in 2025. Off-field strategic distinctions eventually came to characterise his tenure in the position, notwithstanding these impressive on-field accomplishments.
The future and direction of NZC 20 will be decided by the new leadership now that his departure has been confirmed, with more clarity expected by early 2026.
His resignation coincides with the growing excitement surrounding the anticipated January 2027 launch of a new franchise-based T20 competition, tentatively named NZ20. Super Smash events for men and women would be replaced by the competition, which is anticipated to use a licensing model akin to the Caribbean Premier League, with independent management and foreign funding.
Weenink was reportedly in favour of other options, such as investigating the admission of a New Zealand franchise into Australia’s Big Bash League, even though players and member associations have mainly supported the move, citing New Zealand’s exclusion from the global franchise T20 ecosystem.
India
