A new head coach will lead the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls for the first time in six seasons, a new training facility is online, and the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio are embarking on a new chapter. Is it too much ‘new’ too soon?Or is this the start of an exciting period of regrowth?
Arguably the biggest change for the coming Bunnings NPC season is in the coaching box.
With Neil Barnes’ elevation to the All Blacks coaching group, long-time assistant Jarrad Hoeata will take charge of the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls for the NPC season.
Barnes has the highest winning percentage for any Taranaki head coach, at 67 percent. Since taking over in 2021, he guided the Bulls to an unbeaten season, an NPC title in 2023 and a memorable Ranfurly Shield tenure.
They’re big shoes to fill, but Taranaki Rugby CEO Jimmy Fastier says Hoeata has made every opportunity a winner so far in his coaching career.
“Jarrad is highly respected as an up-and-coming coach in the New Zealand system,” Fastier says. “He’s worked under Barnesy for a number of years and developed his skillset in the Super Rugby environment with the Chiefs and the New Zealand Under 20s. It’s a fantastic opportunity for him and it’s a great way to showcase our coaching pathway.”
Hoeata will be assisted by a couple of recognisable faces within the Taranaki rugby community – former Bulls flanker Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and veteran New Plymouth Old Boys coach Michael Carr.
It’s fresh leadership for an established squad, and Fastier says having such high quality coaches reinforces the depth in the region.
“We’re all about developing, retaining and recruiting the best local people,” Fastier says.
“You can see it through players, coaches, managers and referees all coming through the Taranaki system and achieving big things. There are lots of opportunities for people to do well.”
Familiar faces, fresh talent
The playing group entering 2026 looks reassuringly familiar.
The squad includes 17 players who featured in Super Rugby this year, as well as last year’s All Blacks XV players Kaylum Boshier, Bradley Slater, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
The core group has been largely unchanged through the successes of the last few years. As well as the depth and quality across the side, Fastier is proud to see players coming through the system, including CMK club rugby high performers and emerging talent. He points to players such as Haki Wiseman and Dane Johnston, both involved in New Zealand Under-20 programmes.
“There’ll be opportunities for young players again this season. That’s always been part of who we are,” Fastier says.
The union has called on experienced coach Leo Crowley to help keep local continuity through the club season. He’s overseen the wider training programme, working with club performers to help prepare them for the step up to NPC rugby.
That work may become even more important with the possibility of players making an extended All Blacks squad for their tour of South Africa in August and September. The national side is expected to take 8-9 more players than usual to South Africa, creating opportunities for the likes of last year’s All Blacks XV squad. Similar to the bittersweet nature of losing Barnes as head coach, Fastier says he’d love to see more Taranaki players on the plane.
“If that happens, it’s a next-man-up mentality. It’s an opportunity for someone else to step in and do a job.”
Kaitake takes centre stage
Before the NPC kicks off, the Bulls will head down the coast as part of the pre-season.
The Kaitake Community Sports Hub in Ōakura will host Taranaki against Wellington on July 24. The game at Corbett Park is a commemorative occasion, following on from pre-season games in Manaia and Urenui in previous years.
“Taking Bulls pre-season games to small town Taranaki in recent years has been really successful,” Fastier says. “The new facility at Corbett Park has become a real community hub.”
The occasion will also acknowledge the contribution of the late David Jennings, a passionate supporter of Kaitake and Taranaki rugby.
Adding to the spectacle, the Bulls will wear a special blue-and-black Kaitake strip, with jerseys to be auctioned post game.
Fifty years of NPC
The NPC celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, providing another opportunity to celebrate one of New Zealand sport’s most uniquely local competitions.
For Fastier, provincial rugby holds a special place in the national game.
“For me, NPC rugby is the community going to watch your people. We’re fortunate to have a lot of afternoon kickoffs in this season’s draw, which is great for families – you can’t beat it.”
Supporters will have plenty to look forward to at Stadium Taranaki, with powerhouse unions Waikato, Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington all visiting. The Wellington fixture will also double as a 30-year reunion for the famous 1996 Ranfurly Shield-winning side.
The annual Clelands Club Day against Canterbury is expected to be another highlight after attracting one of the biggest crowds in recent history (outside the 2023 final) last year.
Strength beyond the field
Success on the field doesn’t always guarantee good results off it. In this case, Fastier is pleased to enjoy both.
Taranaki Rugby recently reported a fourth consecutive annual surplus. Meanwhile, participation numbers increased by four per cent. Those figures are particularly significant given the challenges the union navigated through the Covid pandemic and Stadium Taranaki redevelopment.
“That was arguably the most challenging period we’ve faced. We’re really proud of how we’ve come through that, and the support of the community is a big part of it,” Fastier says.
“We have excellent sponsors and partners, and the TSB Stand lounge has really supported us to get our hospitality programme back to what it used to be.”
Fastier says they’re investing heavily in participation initiatives, including Club of Origin, which connects secondary school players with local clubs before they leave school.
“We’re only as good as the game is at grassroots, and we need to stay relevant with communities, clubs and schools. Part of this is having our Taranaki Community Rugby Trust RDOs out in schools and clubs, creating memories across the calendar year. We’re working really hard on our traditional rugby product but also delivering innovative new programmes to the next generation.
“It’s great to see player numbers steady across Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Ferdie, Grays Painters secondary schools and CMK club rugby, and there’s good growth in other parts of the game – 7s and Rippa in particular.”
Season members backing the Bulls
One of the strongest indicators of supporter engagement is membership.
The Bulls had a record of more than 1,500 members last season and are already above 1450 before the 2026 campaign has begun. Fastier says Taranaki has the best membership base in the country. Memberships are $40 for the season, including tickets to all five regular season home games, and free admission to CMK club rugby finals day and any home finals at Stadium Taranaki.
“It’s outstanding value. Our game is really connected – we have everything from kids’ clinics on the main ground with Bulls players to events for premium members before games. It’s about bringing people on the journey with us so they’re part of something bigger,” Fastier says.
This year, members will also get 20% discounts on food and beverages at the game, courtesy of KDJ Catering.
A new home for Taranaki Rugby
Another major milestone is the opening of Te Whare Pūngao o Ngā-motu Taranaki Rugby’s new training facility, presented by Taranaki Steelformers. It opened earlier this year, marking the first time the union has its own on-site gym since the Stadium Taranaki redevelopment began in 2017.
The 525sqm development has modern gym equipment, a covered indoor green room and medical and meeting rooms. But it’s been designed as more than just a gym for rugby players. While various levels of rugby will use the space, the vision is for it to be a collaborative hub that can support multiple sports and community organisations. Already, groups including Central Districts Cricket athletes and Spotswood College have been making use of the facility.
Fastier says the long-term value extends far beyond rugby.
“It’s going to be a great asset for the wider sporting community.”
A fresh start for the Whio
The Central Roofing Taranaki Whio enter 2026 with a new competition and a new coaching group.
After competing in the Farah Palmer Cup previously, the Whio will now play in the Northern Regions Development competition, facing teams such as Thames Valley, King Country and East Coast. Experienced Jason Avery will lead the programme as head coach, supported by Matt Goodwin and Greg Plimmer, with Emma Edwards as manager.
Fastier says the move is part of a broader rebuilding phase.
“It’s a fresh start. We see the Whio as an extension of our CMK club rugby and Downer academy programme, which is being really well led by Teihorangi Walden. Through the Downer Academy programme there’s a clear pathway for young Taranaki girls to be the next Michaela Brake, Iritana Hohaia, Louise Blyde or Rosie Moffitt.”
Fastier points to the fact four Taranaki products were selected in this year’s New Zealand universities team after leaving to study outside the region.
“Through our academies and clubs, we can play a key part in the early rugby journey for girls. Our long-term strategy is to play at the highest domestic level, but for this year, the focus is on rebuilding confidence, developing depth and creating opportunities for players to grow.” ••