Hockey New Zealand's chief executive Hilary Poole says the selection of another Australian to coach a national side reflects the situation they're in with development of coaches within New Zealand.
Colin Batch, the current Belgium head coach, will take over from Shane McLeod as men's coach, joining fellow Australian Mark Hager who looks after the women's side.
Poole says they needed someone to who could get the full potential out of the men's team and put them on track for the Rio Olympics.
Poole says they had some quality New Zealand applicants, but there are more Australians with head coaching experience.
Poole was delighted with the quality of the applicants with three coaches from nations ranked higher than New Zealand applying.
Batch begins his role as head coach in early November and will select players and lead the team at the Champions Trophy in Melbourne in December.
Former national head coach Shane McLeod will assist with this transition, before he relocates to Belgium to join his partner.
