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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMGeoff Allott appointed new CEO of NZ Cricket
Alex Chapman • April 28th, 2026 11:00 am
Geoff Allott | Photo: Elias Rodriguez/Photosport
New Zealand Cricket has gone for a familiar name to help steer them through the waters of change.
NZC has confirmed former New Zealand international, ex-board member, Geoff Allott, will be the new NZC Chief Executive from July 1.
Allott, a left arm swing bowler, played 10 tests and 31 ODIs between 1996-2000 before back injuries cut short his career.
He’s best known for finishing as the equal-leading-wicket-taker at the 1999 ODI World Cup, alongside Shane Warne.
He also has the unwanted record for the most balls faced for a duck in test cricket – 77 for the trainspotters.
Allott fills the gap left by Scott Weenink, who resigned last December after two years in the role.
Weenink said at the time that "After careful consideration, it has become clear that I hold a different view from several Member Associations, and the NZCPA, on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand. Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here.”
NZC announced in March that the proposed NZ20 competition, which will be led by privatised ownership, is their preferred option for the future of the domestic T20 competition.
Geoff Allott in action for NZ at the 1999 World Cup | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
He finished his role at the end of January, with NZC’s chief venues and events officer Graham Parks since serving as interim CEO.
Allott will be NZC’s sixth chief executive, following Chris Doig, Martin Snedden, Justin Vaughan, David White and Weenink.
Referencing “a deep connection to this organisation and our game” Allott added in an NZC statement: “I look forward to working collaboratively with the board, players, staff, member associations, and our commercial partners to build strong relationships, foster a positive and constructive culture, and deliver outstanding results both on and off the field.”
Allott is currently the Executive Director and a founding shareholder of Quality NZ.
Per its website, Quality NZ “was founded in 2012 by a small team of passionate New Zealanders keen to bring Aotearoa New Zealand’s finest quality products and services to the burgeoning Indian market.”
Their range includes lamb, seafood, dairy, education, health and wellness, and beverages.
Allott’s former teammate, Stephen Fleming, also serves as a director.
NZC Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon noted Allott was well credentialed for the position.
“Geoff brings a rare and highly-relevant combination of attributes to the role: deep cricket expertise as a former New Zealand representative, invaluable experience within NZC as former General Manager of Cricket and Board member, and strong commercial leadership as Executive Director of his company QualityNZ,” she said.
“We're confident his playing background, institutional knowledge, business acumen, and international outlook make him exceptionally well placed to lead NZC through the next phase of growth and development."
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Allott was general manager of cricket at NZC from 2008-10, and has also been a board member of the organisation.
A founding board member of the NZ Cricket Players Association in 2002, he later served on the Canterbury Cricket board from 2011-2013, before joining the NZC board in 2013.
He served as a Director for eight years, before retiring by rotation in 2021 and was made an NZC Life Member the following year.
Allott said his focus would be on teamwork and unity across all areas of the game.
“By strengthening relationships through all levels of the game here, we can ensure New Zealand cricket remains competitive, sustaibale, and thriving at every level," he added in NZC's statement.
Others who had been linked with the position include Allott’s former New Zealand captain Lee Germon, and Sport NZ boss Raelene Castle.
Germon was Canterbury Cricket’s chief executive from 2008-17 before becoming general manager of the Sydney Thunder Big Bash side. Since February 2019, he’s been the CEO of New South Wales Cricket.
In reference to the rumours of him taking over as NZC boss, Germon told Sport Nation Mornings last Friday that “you can stop them”.
Castle was last week announced as having been reappointed as CEO of the Sport NZ group through until May 2030.
