Diana Puketapu-Lyndon becomes first woman to head New Zealand Cricket

Diana Puketapu-Lyndon was on Wednesday named New Zealand Cricket’s first woman chair in its 129-year history, the organisation said. She will replace former Test cricketer Martin Snedden, the governing body — founded in 1894 — said in a statement.

Puketapu-Lyndon has a wealth of administrative experience and first joined the board of New Zealand Cricket in 2017.

She is also the current chair of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and was the chief financial officer in two previous America’s Cup sailing campaigns.

Snedden, a former chief executive of New Zealand Cricket who has served three terms as a director on the board, said stepping down as chair was “simply the right thing to do”.

He called it “an excellent opportunity for a leadership refresh”.

Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist and twice world track champion cyclist Alison Shanks has also joined the board.

New Zealand Cricket meanwhile reported a surplus of NZ$10.7 million (US$6.3 million) at the end of the last financial year.