Introduction
Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa (Tauihi/League) is fully owned by Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) and consists of five (5) franchises (Teams). By expression of interest (EOI), an opportunity for a further one (1) Team is being sought to enter the League in season 2025.
BBNZ’s preferred location is Dunedin, New Zealand, however other New Zealand locations will be considered.
Tauihi is New Zealand’s professional women’s basketball competition playing in a 12/13-week season from late September to mid-December. Each Team is scheduled to play seven (7) x home games and seven (7) x away games and one (1) x neutral location game, plus finals.
Tauihi
The Tauihi competition is a prestigious professional women’s basketball league based in New Zealand.
The Tauihi competition commenced in 2022 and currently has five (5) Teams competing in 2025, with a desire to add a sixth (6th) Team.
The preferred location of a sixth (6th) team is Dunedin, New Zealand, however other locations in New Zealand will be considered if a compelling business case can be made out including that it leads to strong and stable ownership, a new fan base and increased opportunities to build and promote the New Zealand player pathway for girls and women.
The Tauihi competition is built on adopting a fans-first approach to showcasing elite-level, athletic and entertaining basketball. Each business model (League and Teams) is strongly encouraged to focus on revenue, fan engagement and brand.
The League currently enjoys live broadcasts globally of all games, along with a rapidly growing media presence and rising commerciality.
The League has a dedicated team of experienced fulltime staff within BBNZ who are fully committed to the running of the Leagues including a General Manager, who is supported by a further four full-time staff. There are also a number of experienced service providers within BBNZ, including but not limited to a Commercial General Manager, a Partnerships Manager, a Communications General Manager, a Financial Manager and an Officials Coordinator who assist the Leagues team.
The League’s strategy requires all teams to have, as a minimum, a full-time General Manager year-round.
Expression of Interest (EOI)
The first step for applicants is to send an EOI to the General Manager of Leagues, Maree Taylor at leagues@nz.basketball
Deadline for EOI
Expressions of Interest should be received by close of business (COB) Friday, 21 March 2025 (NZ Time).
Formal Bids
For those invited to present a formal bid, these will be due by COB Friday, 28 March 2025 (NZ Time). Details of what should be included in the formal bid will be sent to those being asked to submit. The formal bid is to be presented in person or via an online presentation.
Announcements
An announcement on any new Teams will be made at the appropriate time.
Who can submit an EOI?
Any parties interested in submitting a formal bid to acquire an additional Tauihi franchise are welcome to apply by providing an EOI to begin with.
What to address in your EOI? Interested parties must submit an EOI letter to Leagues General Manager Maree Taylor at leagues@nz.basketball by COB Friday, 21 March 2025 (NZ Time). The EOI should include the following:
a) Proposed Board members and summary of their credentials.
b) Proposed entity structure including identity of owners and corporate structure.
c) Proposed home location, venue, including capacity and amenities; proof the venue is suited for broadcast/livestreaming of games.
d) Proposed Team name / colours / logo.
e) A brief outline of;
• projected support base.
• plans for or examples of proposed community engagement.
• financial support base
Process
All EOIs will be reviewed by a panel consisting of:
1) BBNZ CEO
2) BBNZ Board Member
3) League General Manager
4) NBLL Commission Member
5) League Legal Representative
All EOI’s submitted will be reviewed by this group to determine whether the Tauihi competition will extend an invitation to submit a formal bid. BBNZ will communicate with all parties who have submitted an EOI to either invite them to submit a formal bid or inform them their EOI was not successful at this stage.
Key Dates
• March 21 – EOI due.
• March 28 – formal bid due.
For further information, please contact:
General Manager of Leagues Maree Taylor
Email: leagues@nz.basketball
