Retail giant Harvey Norman has joined the One New Zealand Warriors in a three-year partnership underscoring its commitment to grow and enhance the women’s game in New Zealand through its support of the club’s NRLW side.
With the Warriors returning to the NRLW in 2025, long-standing NRL and NRLW partner Harvey Norman has linked up with the One New Zealand Warriors to establish a purpose-built pathways programme for young girls across the country, in addition to supporting the women’s team and club culture.
The initiative will focus on leadership, skills development and mentoring the next generation of Warriors NRLW players to become strong inspiring leaders within the club and the broader community.
Harvey Norman chief executive officer and executive director Katie Page is committed to effecting long-term positive change in the lives of girls and women through participation in sport, employment and education.
We are excited to work together to take the powerful influence of the New Zealand Warriors women’s team across the country
Katie Page Harvey Norman CEO and executive director
“The Warriors NRLW team plays a powerful role in New Zealand as the sole elite competition pathway for young girls and women playing rugby league,” said Page.
“Harvey Norman and the NRL hosted an NRLW roundtable recently with every NRLW club represented by players, both team leaders and emerging stars.
“This landmark partnership started that day, in that room. Together Warriors players Harata Butler and Emily Curtain were a powerful voice – Harata, as a passionate advocate for the women’s game in New Zealand, and Emily, who is so proud to have relocated to Auckland to play for the Warriors.
“They wanted to know how they could build the women’s game across New Zealand. They were taking personal responsibility for fan engagement and grassroots participation – it wasn’t about them. It was about the team, the club and the game.
“Their energy and determination were compelling. We know how our Harvey Norman grassroots programmes build both the pathways and the talent pool.
“We are excited to work together to take the powerful influence of the New Zealand Warriors women’s team across the country.”
The partnership with the One New Zealand Warriors complements Harvey Norman’s long-term NRL and NRLW partnerships.
As well as driving pathways for young girls, the programme will expand out to support and connect with local communities including Hamilton, which will host three standalone Warriors NRLW regular season home games at FMG Stadium Waikato in August and September; Harvey Norman has been confirmed as the match day partner.
“This is a trailblazing partnership for our club, for our NRLW side and for women’s rugby league in New Zealand,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
We’re so appreciative of having them on board as we work together to take women’s rugby league in this country to a new level.
Cameron George One New Zealand Warriors CEO
“The support Katie Page and Harvey Norman provide for rugby league and especially for the women’s game is incredible.
“We’re so appreciative of having them on board as we work together to take women’s rugby league in this country to a new level.
“There is a huge groundswell of interest and so much potential which we are passionate about nurturing.”
One New Zealand Warriors NRLW squad members Butler and Curtain gained a valuable insight into the women’s game and its future at the Harvey Norman Women in League roundtable luncheon.
Katie is such a driver for building leadership opportunities for women as well as having a huge passion for supporting the game, its growth and its pathways
Harata Butler One New Zealand Warriors NRLW forward
“What Harvey Norman does for the women’s game is amazing,” said Butler.
“We were so grateful to be involved and to share in great conversations about the future for the women’s game.
“To hear from Katie Page and Andrew Abdo provided a lot of hope for what lies ahead.
“Katie is such a driver for building leadership opportunities for women as well as having a huge passion for supporting the game, its growth and its pathways.”
Harvey Norman has a strong footprint in New Zealand boasting 45 stores across the country.
The company’s involvement in women’s rugby league is extensive. It has been a partner in the NRLW premiership since its introduction in 2018 as well as being the founding naming rights partner of the NRL Women in League Round (2007 to the present day). Harvey Norman has also been a Queensland women’s State of Origin and grassroots partner since 2017, sponsored the New South Wales women’s State of Origin side from 2017-2023 and has been the Jillaroos’ naming rights partner since 2015.
