The Crusaders rugby team will be referred to as the 'BNZ Crusaders' from 2016 onwards, the franchise announced today.
In what is a New Zealand Super Rugby First, the fabled Christchurch-based franchise has signed BNZ as the new naming rights sponsor.
Both the Crusaders and BNZ refused today to say how much the deal is worth, only to say it's "significant".
The deal was announced on the former Turners & Growers site in Christchurch city centre where the city's new post-earthquake rugby stadium will be built.
Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said it was "a significant long term investment" and a "great reflection of BNZ's confidence in the future of Christchurch and the Crusaders".
"We are delighted that an organisation of BNZ's standing has chosen the Crusaders to showcase the BNZ brand."
BNZ is already a principal partner as part of an NZRU managed relationship across all of the New Zealand Super Rugby teams.
But when the bank got the chance to have its brand on the front of the red and black jerseys, they 'jumped at it", said Campbell Parker, head of business banking in New Zealand.
The seven-time Super Rugby champions were such an important part of the rebuilding city's "fabric", and the deal allows the bank to show its commitment to the city and the future, he said.
