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Sport Nation
📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Raelene Castle forced to reapply as CEO of Sport NZ
Sport Nation • January 12th, 2026 11:12 am
Raelene Castle | Photo: Photosport
Incumbent chief executive Raelene Castle will be forced to reapply for her job after Sport NZ made the role up for grabs.
Castle's contract ended last month and board chair Duane Kale has since confirmed there will be a recruitment process for the position.
Sport Nation understands Castle is taking the summer break to decide whether she reapplies.
"It is considered best practice across Government to go to market upon completion of contracts, the board will run an open recruitment process for the Group chief executive," Kale said in a statement.
"Raelene has led Sport NZ with distinction for the past five years, demonstrating unwavering commitment to advancing sport and recreation across Aotearoa."
Castle has agreed to a five-month extension to her contract while the submission process takes place.
The 55-year-old joined Sport NZ in 2020, after previously holding the same position at the helm of Rugby Australia, Netball New Zealand and the NRL's Canterbury Bulldogs.
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