New Zealand Team Expands Commercial Whānau with Several Premium Partnerships

The New Zealand Team has announced a robust group of “Premium Partners” to support athletes on the global stage. Under the “For the Fern” initiative, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has formalised partnerships with ASB, Kathmandu, and One NZ.

This collective, described as a “commercial whānau,” is designed to provide the necessary fiscal and operational backing for the New Zealand Team’s campaigns leading into the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the LA28 Olympic Games, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The “For the Fern” brand platform aims to capture the emotional resonance and cultural identity of the New Zealand Team, emphasising a narrative of humility, ambition, and national unity. By aligning with partners that mirror these values, the NZOC seeks to foster a sustainable high-performance environment that extends beyond the athletes themselves to include coaches, support staff, and community networks.

Key components of the new partnerships include:

ASB, serving as the Official Bank to the New Zealand Team, has committed to supporting the team’s journey across upcoming international Games. Beyond elite-level support, the partnership is integrated into the NZOC Education Programme, which leverages the platform to educate young New Zealanders on Olympic values—Excellence, Friendship, and Respect—while teaching practical life skills such as goal setting and perseverance.

Kathmandu, the official apparel partner, will be responsible for the end-to-end kit requirements of the team, ranging from training gear and village wear to the official uniforms for the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. This partnership aligns a homegrown outdoor performance brand with the national team, focusing on innovation and the proud representation of Aotearoa New Zealand.

One NZ, the Official Telco to the New Zealand Team, is tasked with bridging the physical distance between New Zealanders and the athletes competing overseas. The partnership aims to amplify athlete storytelling and performance updates, ensuring that the connection between the public and those competing “for the fern” remains high throughout the tournament cycles.

While these Premium Partners take on a primary role in the team’s commercial roadmap, the NZOC has reiterated its appreciation for its existing Official Partners, suppliers, and the global contributors of the IOC’s The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme.

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