Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture

We’re taking flight.

Join us as we make history with NRL expansion.

Representing Te Wai Pounamu, ​the South Island Kea have ​submitted a bid to be included in ​the expanded NRL competition.

Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture

Over a million fans

are waiting...

Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture
Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture

Our ​Emblem

Our team emblem is embedded in our Taiao, ​our natural environment. It incorporates ​Moko Kanohi (male face tattoo), symbolising ​whakapapa (ancestry), mana (prestige/status), ​and the wisdom of the mātauranga Māori ​(Māori knowledge), while drawing inspiration ​from the Kea, a guardian of the South Island’s ​prestigious mountain range, Kā Tiritiri o te ​Moana (the Southern Alps). It features ​elements like the central Manawa (heart) line ​for the team’s journey, Mangopare for ​strength, and Pūkauae, grounding us in our ​connection to wāhine (women) and our ​whenua (land).

Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture

Kaitiaki

O Ngā ​Maunga

Guardians of the Mountains

Above Te Wai Pounamu, the Kea soars — a ​symbol of resilience and grace against the ​backdrop of the South Island’s majestic ​alpine peaks. As guardians of these rugged ​terrains, these remarkable birds inspire our ​venture into professional rugby league. This ​cherished taonga (Māori treasure) thrives in ​realms few dare explore, embodying the ​fearless spirit we bring to the NRL.

Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture

The South Island Kea have access to some ​of the best facilities in the NRL with the use ​of two fully closed roof stadia.

Te KAHA STADIUM

With 30,000 seats (25,000 permanent and 5,000 temporary), all under the cover of a roof, ​One New Zealand Stadium is the premier and most accessible, inclusive, sustainable and ​flexible venue in Aotearoa.

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FORSYTH BARR STADIUM

This fully-roofed facility is a global benchmark for stadium facilities and has enabled ​hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to enjoy world-class sporting and entertainment ​events.

Father's Day Retro Vintage Texture

The Squad

David Moffett is a strategist and ​enthusiast for change across the sporting ​sector. He is the former CEO of NSW ​Rugby, SANZAAR, NZ Rugby, NRL, Sport ​England, Welsh Rugby, and Millenium ​Stadium. As well as this, David also has ​experience owning and operating private ​sector businesses.

Youssef Mourra is a management ​consultant who specialises in ensuring an ​organisation’s projects, operations, and ​undertakings align with their stated ​strategic aims and ensures that the ​governance layer and all stakeholders ​benefit from the realisation of the stated ​outcomes. He is well connected in both ​the public and private sectors at the ​executive level in New Zealand.


Andy Marinos is a former professional ​rugby league and rugby union player, ​Dual International. He is also a former ​CEO of Newport Dragons, SA Rugby, ​SANZAAR, and Rugby Australia.

Tim Bateman is of Ngāi Tahu ​Katiwaewae heritage and has strong ​connections across the South Island. ​He had a 17-year professional rugby ​career, captaining the Māori All Blacks. ​He has various governance roles and ​now owns and runs O-studio, a ​wellness franchise he founded and is ​expanding through Australasia.


Michael Goldstein is an experienced ​sports industry professional with a ​background in organising major ​sporting events like the New Zealand ​Open, LPGA, and World Rally ​Championship. He has taken on ​leadership roles in sports marketing, ​collaborating with various entities such ​as world bodies, national sports ​organizations, government, sponsors, ​and media.

Rob Picone is a trusted commercial ​and legal advisor who has also worked ​at the coal face of the game in NRL ​clubland. Robert is currently Managing ​Counsel of DXC Technology Australia ​and was General Counsel and Board ​Consultant for the Canterbury ​Bankstown Bulldogs from 2018 ​-2024. His vision and passion for the ​game saw him lead a previous bid ​from 2012-2016.

It’s our time.

SOUTH ISLAND KEA

info@southislandkea.com