Who we are
The New Zealand Esports Federation (NZESF) is the sole recognised national sporting organisation for esports in Aotearoa. Our mission is to lead, support, and grow esports, uniting Kiwis through competitive gaming while promoting its social, health, and educational benefits.
Recognised by Sport NZ in 2020, we advocate for esports as an indoor sport and on the Olympic stage. As the regulatory body for esports nationwide, we uphold integrity and fair play, foster balanced participation, and provide pathways for international representation through the E Blacks.
Guided by our core values, we work with partners, schools, and communities to build a thriving esports ecosystem. Together, we are shaping the future of esports in New Zealand, inspiring the next generation of gamers.
What we stand for
OUR VISION
To unite New Zealanders with each other and the world through Esports.
OUR MISSION
To lead, support and grow esports in New Zealand.
Our Core Values
We aim for every action we take at the New Zealand Esports Federation to contribute towards our core values. It’s on these values we aspire to build the future of esports.
Inclusive Participation
To ensure that all New Zealanders have equal opportunity to participate in esports.
To give a voice for positive change to all stakeholders in the NZ esports ecosystem.
Education
To promote the social, health and
educational benefits of esports
and video games for youth and
the wider community.
To empower youth to reach their
full potential using the skills
and attributes learned through
esports.
Integrity
Advocate for a safe and controlled competitive environment that reinforces the sporting spirit of fair play and integrity.
Empowerment
Empower individuals to pursue esports with confidence across all levels of the industry.
OUR PEOPLE
Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan 'Arkadian' Jansen
Jonathan is starting as the first Chief Executive Officer of the organisation and brings a unique combination of strategic, operational and creative flair to the NZESF.
Chief Operating Officer
Layla 'ILootNPCs' Loots
Layla is a young innovative leader in the New Zealand gaming sector, with a combination of skills and experience in community management, marketing, and executive leadership.
School Outreach Coordinator
Sam 'Fury' Johnson
Sam ‘Fury’ Johnson is joining NZ Esports in 2025 as the School Outreach Coordinator, bringing experience in esports education, as well as a background as a pro Dota 2 player, team captain, and leader in New Zealand’s esports scene.
Tournament
Lead
Joshua 'br0ken' Coleman
Josh is joining NZ Esports in 2025 to lead the NZ Secondary School Esports competitions, bringing experience across grassroots, inclusivity leagues, and pro-level events, including Spark Game Arena Live.
NZ Esports Executive Committee
President
Conor English is a former independent advisor to the Reserve Bank, chief executive of Federated Farmers and the New Zealand Property Institute and is involved in a number of businesses and boards. His interest in esports was sparked by his children’s involvement.
Vice President and International Representative
Duane has held senior roles within the gaming industry since 2010. He has worked with publishers including Activision, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Riot, SEGA and Warner Bros. He is an experienced managing director with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. Duane is passionate about the development of esports on a regional and global scale as well as delivering world-class broadcasting content. Outside of the office he enjoys surfing and finds the correlation between the rise of action sports and esports both fascinating and inspiring.
Chair, Women’s Subcommittee, International NZ Representative
Nikolasa has extensive experience working in digital spaces and alongside indigenous communities. She has a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Waikato University where she lectured for 5 years in the School of Māori & Pacific Development. She is founding Director of TangataWhenua.com, one of Aotearoa’s first Māori news portals launched in 2002. Nikolasa is co-founder of Digital Basecamp, Rotorua’s largest coworking space for digital content creators and cofounded Digital Natives Academy Charitable Trust. DNA was founded in 2014 and was one of the first non-profits in NZ to focus on providing access, mentorship and training in the area of esports, animation and content creation with a focus on providing kaupapa Māori delivery. DNA has a 2500sqm training facility in the heart of Rotorua with 40 high spec rigs. DNA works closely with local school and offers free programmes to the community along with accredited level 4 programmes through Media Design School.
Henry Lawton is the general manager of VictoryUP. He successfully launched the Wellington Secondary School league as an official sport in the Wellington region and run the largest high school esports league to date with more than 1,000 students participating nationwide. Henry has a passion for growing the esports scene from grassroots and offers a unique insight into how to successfully engage with esports.
Paul is the owner of Playtech, a large computer and technology reseller. Paul has had deep roots to the gaming and esports community as one of the largest equipment providers in the space. Paul brings a wealth of community relationships, business acumen and critical perspective to the NZESF.
Alison is heavily involved in New Zealand sport governance and has been a Director of High Performance Sport New Zealand, and Cycling New Zealand and is a current member of the NZOC Athlete Commission and the Oceania representative on the Commonwealth Games Federation Athlete Advisory Commission.
Belinda has also taken on the role of Community Grants & Funding Advisor in 2022 for NZ Esports.