Christchurch NRL team bid: Government held ‘positive’ talks with council-backed bid group

Exclusive documents reveal a group pushing for a 20th NRL team in Christchurch told the Government its support was “vital” to securing the franchise – despite ministers insisting they aren’t involved.

Southern Sporting Limited (SSL) first approached South Island Minister James Meager in September last year, before meeting him in November.

The group sought another meeting this year, with Meager and Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell meeting Southern Sporting representatives on August 20.

The ministerial involvement was not publicly known when Christchurch City Council’s work on a potential NRL team was revealed by Newstalk ZB last month.

Documents released under the Official Information Act show SSL has been pushing for a Government role in the bid, telling officials central Government support was “more than useful, it is vital” to give Christchurch the best chance of securing a team.

SSL president Frank Endacott has confirmed the group had held discussions with the Government.
“There has been talk and positive talk, I might add,” he said.

Endacott wouldn’t detail what was discussed, saying the council was fronting the South Island bid.

But the documents show SLL asked Government officials to stay across the council’s work and offer “whatever support” was needed.

Meager has also expressed support for Christchurch receiving an NRL licence.

In a statement, he said his support in principle reflected his view that a South Island NRL team could deliver economic, sporting, tourism, recreational and social benefits.

But he said Government financial support hadn’t been discussed, and any conversations about that would be more “appropriately held” with Mitchell and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis.

Mitchell said he supported any plans to “advance New Zealand’s sporting interests”, but clarified the Government wasn’t involved in any NRL bid.

SSL has argued Christchurch may need a similar level of Government backing to the Perth Bears, whose entry into the NRL has been supported by tens of millions of dollars from the Western Australian Government.

The group told Meager the NRL was increasingly favouring Government-backed models, pointing to Perth and Papua New Guinea.

But an MBIE briefing prepared for Meager said the Government had historically had “very limited involvement” in professional trans-Tasman sport and did not make direct investments in teams.

Sport NZ also advised that it doesn’t get involved in commercial organisations making bids to enter professional sports, and said any bid should be advanced in close discussion with New Zealand Rugby League.

Endacott said SSL had been working on the bid for more than two years.

The former Kiwis coach said the group was not trying to own the team, but wanted to help deliver a franchise for Christchurch and the South Island.

“We’re doing it for both the city, the sport, and the sport in general in New Zealand and also for young people, for pathways for their future,” he said.

“If you look back over the decades, there’s been literally hundreds of players coming from Christchurch and the South Island, going to Australia to play in the NRL.”

“Where we could offer the new franchise here for them to play here and stay at home with their families.”

The SSL group includes Endacott, Waikato Rugby Board president Coal Groves, Canterbury Rugby League board member Darren Littlewood and former chief executive Duane Fyfe, alongside former Labour MP Poto Williams.

Endacott said the council was now preparing to take the proposal to the NRL.

“We’ve got everything needed. It’s all put together, and that will be presented to the NRL shortly by the council,” he said.

Last month, Newstalk ZB revealed the council’s been in talks with the NRL for two years, and even hired a consultant to assess what would be required to support a successful bid.

It’s formed a team to investigate the possibility of a bid, including Reon Edwards, ChristchurchNZ chair Lauren Quaintance, Michael Goldstein and council staff.

Mayor Phil Mauger told Newstalk ZB that the council’s just “facilitating discussions” to ensure the city is well-prepared if the opportunity arises.

“We’re just getting all our ducks in a row and putting as much information forward as we can,” he said.

Endacott expects a decision on the 20th team before Christmas.

He said the NRL’s stated ambition for the franchise to begin in 2029 meant a decision needed to come sooner rather than later.

“There’s been a lot of work put into this, by a lot of people, and we would love to see the rewards at the end of it,” Endacott said.

The NRL has the final say on whether another team is added to the competition, as reports of a team in Hamilton or Ipswich, Queensland continue to swirl.

The Southern Orcas are also pursuing a team, although chair Sir Graham Lowe has previously said they are not involved with the council’s work.

Jaime Cunningham is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on education and general news. She joined Newstalk ZB in 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Christchurch Star.