New Zealand Football president Johanna Wood to step down as April election set

New Zealand Football president Dr Johanna Wood will step away from the role at the end of her current tenure, bringing to a close a seven-year presidency and eight years on the federation’s executive committee.Wood was first elected to the executive committee in 2018 and became the first female president of New Zealand Football’s executive committee in 2019, overseeing a period the organisation said was defined by participation growth and an expanding professional footprint.Dr Johanna Wood said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to lead New Zealand Football for the last seven years, alongside the New Zealand Football Executive Committee.”  Wood added: “It is an exciting time for football in New Zealand, with the launch of our new strategy focused on ensuring that this global game is accessible to all who want to be involved, both on and off the pitch.”New Zealand Football said participation has grown to more than 180,000 players during Wood’s tenure, with football and futsal described as the country’s leading team participation sport.  The federation also pointed to the professional game’s expansion, from one professional side in 2018 to five in 2026, as part of a broader shift in the domestic pathway and the commercial ecosystem around elite football.Wood played a central governance role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s successful bid to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 and in delivering the tournament, which New Zealand Football described as generating legacy programmes that have helped drive a 35% increase in girls’ and women’s football since before the event.Beyond the domestic brief, Wood is set to remain in an international governance position. New Zealand Football said she will continue on the FIFA Council until the end of the current term in 2027, having become the first New Zealander to join the council in 2019.New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell credited Wood with providing continuity during a period of organisational change.Andrew Pragnell said: “Johanna has overseen an enormous period of growth and positive change over the past eight years, as well as providing stability in New Zealand’s biggest sport.”  Pragnell added: “Her leadership and guidance have been key to major successes across the game, and she has contributed at every level possible, from club, to regional federation, through to New Zealand Football, OFC, and FIFA.”Wood’s successor will be elected at the New Zealand Football Congress on April 23, 2026, the federation said, setting up a formal transition as the organisation moves into the next phase of its strategy and post-World Cup legacy delivery.