Former All Black Norm Maxwell has launched a charitable sports exchange linking India and New Zealand, timed to coincide with the centenary of sporting ties between the two nations.
Maxwell, who now lives in Spain, has joined forces with Phil Robson, chief executive of Total Sports Tours, to establish the New Zealand India Sports Exchange Trust.
The initiative will bring underprivileged rugby-loving children from Kolkata to Christchurch, while also sending local students to India.
The Kolkata–Kiwi Exchange will see young players from Kolkata train and compete in New Zealand, including at sevens tournaments, while experiencing Kiwi culture. In return, students from Christchurch schools will travel to India to immerse themselves in Kolkata life, building friendships and gaining new perspectives.
Maxwell has been closely involved with Khelo Rugby, a grassroots project in India that introduces disadvantaged children to the sport. He now coaches a new generation of Indian youngsters who dream of representing their country on the international stage.
“The important thing for me is to make a difference and to continue to emphasise the importance of having a constant eye on wellbeing in rugby, alongside performance and profit,” Maxwell said.
The initiative also carries broader ambitions. Organisers say the exchange will deepen cultural understanding, promote tolerance, and open doors for sporting, tourism and business links.
Sporting exchanges between India and New Zealand date back to 1926 when the Indian Army Hockey Team toured New Zealand.
The centenary will be marked in 2026, the same year the first exchange visits will take place.
A high-level fundraising dinner is scheduled for March 2026 at Te Pae in Christchurch to support the programme.
The move comes as New Zealand seeks to strengthen ties with India. Christchurch City Council recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the India New Zealand Business Council, recognising the importance of closer trade and cultural links.
India has also launched its first Rugby Premier League, signalling its intention to establish rugby as a professional sport. Organisers of the Kolkata–Kiwi Exchange believe New Zealand, with its unrivalled rugby pedigree, is well-placed to support this growth.
Robson said his company’s 20 years of experience running international sporting tours meant it was ideally positioned to deliver the exchange.
The exchange, set for the final quarter of 2026, aims to provide opportunities not only for the children involved but also for long-term cultural and economic development between the two nations.
