Walter takes over from Stead as new NZ head coach as he signs a three-year contract and will take over in mid-June.
Rob Walter takes over as New Zealand head coach, replacing Gary Stead in the role.
The former South Africa white-ball coach has inked a 3-year deal that will see him take over until 2028.
Despite having more than two years left on his contract with CSA, Walter, 49, was one of the top contenders after leaving his position with South Africa. The 2023 ODI World Cup semifinals, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2024 T20 World Cup final were all reached by South Africa under Walter’s leadership.
Walter had settled in Hawke’s Bay after serving as head coach of the Otago Volts and Central Stags in New Zealand domestic cricket, and his family had stayed in New Zealand while he was coaching South Africa. In 2022–2023, he led the Stags to victories in the Plunket Shield and the Ford Trophy. Walter also led New Zealand A on a tour of India in 2022 and has done stints as an assistant coach in the IPL.
Although New Zealand Cricket originally advertised splitting the head coaching responsibilities between white and red-ball cricket, Walter succeeds Gary Stead as the team’s all-format head coach.
Under the terms of his deal, Walter will coach the Blackcaps through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ODI World Cup in 2027, the next two T20 World Cups in 2026 and 2028, and the next WTC cycle.
Walter’s statement
“The Blackcaps have been a successful and highly-regarded team on the world scene for some time now and it’s a real privilege to be given the chance to add to that,” Walter said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and support staff through a period of time in which so many global events, as well as massive bilateral series, will be contested.
“I just can’t wait to get started. It’s exciting, it’s challenging, and the opportunity is enormous for everyone.”