Sir Richard Hadlee has called for the current New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Board to step aside and reapply through an independent appointment process, escalating his concerns over the organisation’s governance, transparency and future direction.
The New Zealand great has also renewed his push for the release of a Deloitte report examining options for domestic T20 cricket, arguing that the document and associated management recommendations should be made available to key stakeholders.
Hadlee set out the two measures after a strongly worded letter he sent to NZC Chief Executive Geoff Allott and the Board became public. According to a report by the New Zealand Herald’s Shayne Currie, the former New Zealand international used the letter to raise concerns spanning leadership, staff departures and morale, financial performance, stakeholder relations and the handling of the Deloitte report.
Hadlee challenges NZC leadership
Hadlee, an NZC Life Member and former Board member, addressed his relationship with the organisation in the letter. Hadlee wrote in the letter: “It 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.”
His intervention comes after a period of significant change at NZC. Former Chief Executive Scott Weenink left the organisation following tensions surrounding the future structure of New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, while NZC subsequently announced a preliminary NZ 7.3million (approx.US 4.1 million) loss for the financial year ending July 31, compared with a budgeted deficit of NZ 1.8million (approx.US1.0 million).
Hadlee has maintained that transparency should be central to NZC’s handling of difficult issues, a position he traced back to his time as a director beginning in 2014.
Hadlee added: “I 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.”
Deloitte report at centre of dispute
Hadlee participated in Deloitte’s review of options for T20 cricket in New Zealand and has sought an unredacted copy of the report, along with the supporting recommendation produced by NZC management.
NZC ultimately backed the privately operated NZ20 competition, which is scheduled to begin in the 2027/28 summer, rather than pursuing an alternative involving a New Zealand men’s team in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and a women’s side in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Hadlee discussed the Deloitte process in the letter.
He wrote: “I 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’s recommendations rationale and NZC decisions.”
Hadlee also addressed the T20 options considered for New Zealand.
He said: “… 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.”
He believes participation in the BBL could generate additional funding for cricket associations around New Zealand.
Hadlee expands on position in media statement
Hadlee subsequently issued a media statement after the letter became public.
Hadlee said in an official media statement: “I remain disappointed by the lack of transparency surrounding significant decisions that have been made by the Board. In particular, I believe the report prepared by Deloitte regarding the future of T20 cricket in New Zealand should be made available to those who participated in the process, to the MAs, DAs and to Life Members of New Zealand Cricket. As I noted in my letter, I participated directly in that consultation process and was advised at the time that the report would be shared with participants.”
Hadlee’s relationship with New Zealand cricket stretches across decades, while his family’s involvement in the game spans almost 90 years through playing, selection, administration and support. His father Walter and brothers Barry and Dayle represented New Zealand, while Hadlee himself played 86 Tests and 115 ODIs and became the first cricketer to reach 400 Test wickets.
The 75-year-old finished his Test career with 431 wickets and later served on the NZC Board. His name remains closely connected to the national game through the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal and the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy contested by New Zealand and Australia.
Board urged to reapply through independent process
Hadlee has also confirmed holding direct discussions with Allott.
He said: “I have discussed my concerns directly with Geoff Allott. Those 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.”
Hadlee continued in the statement.
He stated: “There are two outcomes that I believe would help restore confidence in the governance of the organisation. First, the release of the Deloitte report and the supporting management recommendations to key stakeholders, including MAs, DAs and Life Members. Secondly, I believe the current Board should step aside and reapply through a genuinely independent appointment process, not one run by the MAs. Such 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.”
His concerns over developments during the previous 12 months also encompass changes to the Board, departures of senior executives and other staff, staff morale, concerns involving commercial partners and sponsors, and the treatment of individuals within NZC.
Hadlee says concerns extend beyond his own
Hadlee also referred to others within the New Zealand cricket network.
He added: “Importantly, I am not alone in holding these concerns. A 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. Their concerns may not be identical to mine, but they reflect a growing unease about the direction and governance of the organisation.”
Later in the statement, Hadlee reflected on his connection with the game.
He said: “My comments arise from a deep love of cricket and a desire to see the game thrive. New 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.”
The immediate question for NZC is how it responds to one of the country’s most prominent former players publicly challenging its current governance and seeking changes to both the availability of key information and the process through which the Board is constituted.
Full Media Statement from Sir Richard Hadlee:
The following statement is issued in response to the release of my recent letter to the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO and Board, which was also shared with the Major Associations (MAs) and District Associations (DAs) as per my instructions. I will not be making any further public comment on this matter at this time.
Over many decades, I have had a deep connection with cricket in New Zealand, both personally and through my family’s involvement in the game. As 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.
My 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.
I remain disappointed by the lack of transparency surrounding significant decisions that have been made by the Board. In particular, I believe the report prepared by Deloitte regarding the future of T20 cricket in New Zealand should be made available to those who participated in the process, to the MAs, DAs and to Life Members of New Zealand Cricket. As I noted in my letter, I participated directly in that consultation process and was advised at the time that the report would be shared with participants.
My 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.
Over the past 12 months there have been a number of developments that have raised concerns for me and many others across the cricket community. These 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.
I have discussed my concerns directly with Geoff Allott. Those 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.
I have been asked what I would like to see happen as a result of my letter.
There are two outcomes that I believe would help restore confidence in the governance of the organisation.
First, the release of the Deloitte report and the supporting management recommendations to key stakeholders, including MAS, DAs and Life Members.
Secondly, I believe the current Board should step aside and reapply through a genuinely independent appointment process, not one run by the MAs. Such 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.
Some may ask whether my concerns are justified.
My answer is unequivocally yes.
Importantly, I am not alone in holding these concerns. A 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. Their concerns may not be identical to mine, but they reflect a growing unease about the direction and governance of the organisation.
Finally, I wish to make one point absolutely clear.
My comments arise from a deep love of cricket and a desire to see the game thrive. New 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.
Good 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.
This statement represents my complete response to the matters raised by my letter, and I will not be making any further comment at this stage.
RJH
