Former Silver Fern Gail Parata has resigned as a national selector in protest over the suspension of head coach Dame Noeline Taurua, questioning whether any coach in New Zealand is now safe from dismissal.
In a statement on Facebook, Parata said Taurua’s stand-down following player complaints about her leadership had shocked the coaching community and signalled that politics now outweighs performance.
She criticised Netball New Zealand’s handling of the situation, saying changes to the selection panel and lack of transparency undermined trust and good governance. Parata said the treatment of Taurua, one of the sport’s most successful coaches, set a dangerous precedent for the profession and reflected poorly on the sport’s leadership.
Dear Netball NZ @SilverFernsNZ
Who are these players who complained?
What exactly were the complaints?
Where is the natural justice here for Dame Noeline?
And do you realise your secrecy & blatant unfairness are destroying your sport in the eyes of the public?What a shambles.
— Martin Devlin – DSPN (@martindevlinnz) October 13, 2025
