AIRWALLEX EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUES
The Blues are proud to announce an expanded partnership with global financial platform Airwallex, which will become an official partner of the nib Blues women.
The partnership extension comes at a time of significant growth for women’s sport in New Zealand, and builds on Airwallex’s existing relationship with the Blues as the club’s Official Business Finance Partner.
Beyond brand visibility, Airwallex supports the organisation with modern spend management and financial solutions that help streamline operations behind the scenes as the club continues to grow both its men’s and women’s programmes.
The new agreement will see Airwallex branding feature on the nib Blues women’s playing shorts, further increasing the company’s investment in one of the fastest growing areas of New Zealand sport.
Airwallex Co-Founder and President Lucy Liu said they were pleased to strengthen their support of the Blues.
“Growing up in New Zealand, rugby was always part of the fabric of our communities. It teaches resilience, teamwork and the confidence to back yourself,” Liu said.
“That’s why I'm incredibly proud to see Airwallex become the Official Business Finance Partner of the nib Blues Women’s team.
“Women's sport is one of the most exciting growth stories in New Zealand today. Visibility, participation and fan engagement continue to grow, but there remains a significant opportunity for businesses to help accelerate that momentum through investment and support.
“As a female founder, I know how important visibility and opportunity are in helping the next generation reach their potential. The nib Blues Women represent the very best of Kiwi talent, ambition and determination, and we're excited to support their journey.
“This partnership is particularly meaningful to me personally. New Zealand is home, and it’s special to support a team that inspires so many young women and girls across the country.”
Blues CEO Karl Budge said the partnership extension reflects the shared values between the two organisations and Airwallex’s genuine commitment to the future of the game.
“We’re delighted to deepen our relationship with Airwallex through their support of the nib Blues Women. Women’s rugby continues to go from strength to strength, attracting larger audiences, greater participation and increasing commercial support. Partnerships like this play an important role in accelerating that growth,” Budge said.
“Airwallex has already proven to be a valued partner of our organisation, and their decision to invest in the women’s programme demonstrates a genuine commitment to backing high performance teams and creating opportunities for the next generation of players.
“The nib Blues Women are outstanding ambassadors for our club and our community. We’re excited to have Airwallex alongside us as we continue building a programme that inspires young women and girls across New Zealand.”
New Zealand has become an increasingly important market for Airwallex and a key part of the company's growth story. In the past two years, Airwallex has helped more than 1,000 Kiwi startups and modern businesses operate internationally, while facilitating approximately NZ$2.4 billion in annual payment flows for New Zealand businesses, representing 240% year-on-year growth.
Today, nearly 20 per cent of New Zealand's digital and technology sector uses the Airwallex platform to manage global financial operations, helping businesses scale beyond borders.
The partnership reflects Airwallex’s broader commitment to supporting ambitious organisations that challenge convention, pursue excellence and create meaningful impact within their communities.
The nib Blues Women embody those qualities, making the partnership a natural extension of Airwallex's commitment to backing the next generation of Kiwi talent.