Netball New Zealand has today announced significant progress towards securing the future of the country's elite domestic netball competition, signing a non-binding term sheet with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams.
What has Netball New Zealand announced?
With both wanting to finish their respective seasons on a high, it was the Stars who prevailed with a well-crafted 59-49 win over Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Auckland on Saturday.
The final round of the 2026 ANZ Premiership regular season arrives with plenty still to play for, particularly at the top of the ladder where Grand Final hosting rights remain on the line.
Based in South Auckland, the Stars became the newest elite level netball team in 2017, representing the south and east of Auckland. With the end of the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship in 2016, the Stars joined the five other established New Zealand franchises to form the six-strong standalone ANZ Premiership.
Former Melbourne Vixens head coach Julie Hoornweg became the Stars inaugural coach and Leana de Bruin their first captain.
The Stars are based out of Bruce Pulman Park Papakura with Pulman Arena being their main home venue.
Despite their short history, the Stars have quickly evolved into a quality team and have featured in three Grand Finals (2019, 2022 and 2023), finishing runners-up on each occasion. They have also built a strong and connected support base in south Auckland, representing one of New Zealand’s largest communities.
The Stars were named after the Matariki star cluster which also features on the team’s logo, and incorporates their club colours of purple and silver.
