The 2025–26 Lead Development Squad is the pool of athletes eligible for New Zealand team selection at international lead competitions this season.
Being named in the squad isn’t automatic selection for any event. When an international competition comes up, CNZ sends an expression of interest to squad athletes. The final team for that competition is selected from athletes who respond.
Selections across all categories are made under the CNZ selection policy.
Female lead
| Athlete | Notes |
|---|---|
| Open | |
| Katie Chinn | |
| Xanthe Saunders | |
| Grace Hansen | Discretionary |
| Zoe Ball | Discretionary |
| Alicia Schenk | Discretionary |
| U19 | |
| Katie Chinn | |
| Xanthe Saunders | |
| Grace Hansen | |
| Zoe Ball | Discretionary |
| Alicia Schenk | Discretionary |
| U17 | |
| Sylvia Palmer | |
| Charlotte Chinn | |
| Holly Meyer | |
| Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber | |
| U15 | |
| Anna Evans | |
| Ayla Radley | |
| Yume Fookes | |
| Marley de Jong | |
| U13 | |
| Nina Fookes | |
| Olivia Chellet | |
| Trixie de Jong | |
| Para | |
| Eltje Malzbender | |
| Rachel Maia | Discretionary |
Male lead
| Athlete | Notes |
|---|---|
| Open | |
| Oliver Chinn | |
| Luke Williams | Discretionary |
| U19 | |
| Eliezar Cachatoor-Faber | |
| Lucas Machado Gomes | |
| U17 | |
| Fletcher McGrath | |
| Quinn Boetzelen-McIntyre | |
| Xavier Wasek-Webb | |
| Ben Giles | |
| Malachi Johnston | |
| Alex James | |
| U15 | |
| Hugo Harkness | |
| Max Lepper | |
| Brooklyn Jackson-Gers | |
| Tobin Priestley | Discretionary |
| Huxley Bolger | Discretionary |
| U13 | |
| Hamish McLaughlin | |
| Xavier Faber | Discretionary |
| Lochie Ward | Discretionary |
| Mikhail Dergilev | Discretionary — development squad only |
| Para | |
| Kaleb Westlake | |
Selection inquiries: selection@climbing.nz