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

Multimedia Journalist, Newstalk ZB·Newstalk ZB·20 Sep, 2026 05:00 PM5 mins to read‌Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium sold out when the New Zealand Warriors played the North Queensland Cowboys in June this year. Photo / PhotosportExclusive documents reveal a group pushing for an 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.