All Blacks urged to drop sponsor

Activists are calling on the All Blacks to dump principal sponsor AIG over a controversial coal-mining project.

The All Blacks have been dragged into the ‘Stop Adani’ campaign with leading sponsor, American insurance giant AIG, insuring the controversial Carmichael coal mine in Central Queensland.

The mine is proposed by Adani Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s Adani Group. It has drawn controversy around its claimed economic benefits, financial viability, plans for government subsidies, and environmental impact.

A petition from corporate activist group Sumofus and 350 Aotearoa demanding the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) dump AIG as a sponsor was launched last week.

Fourteen other insurance companies have ruled out insuring the project.

‘‘No All Black wants to pull on the jersey knowing that the sponsor on their shirt is supporting a mega-mine that has stripped indigenous peoples of their land and will drive the world closer to climate breakdown,’’ 350 Aotearoa chairman Aaron Packard said.

‘‘The All Blacks are legendary. We want them to reflect the best of New Zealand. However, it’s clear that their association with AIG threatens their own values and aspirations as All Blacks.

‘‘If I was the chief executive of New Zealand Rugby I’d be picking up the phone and demanding AIG drops Adani immediately.’’

Sumofus Campaign manager Nick Haines said: ‘‘In Australia we often look to New Zealand as a climate leader and a leader on Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

‘‘So for a team as revered as the All Blacks to run out onto the pitch at the Rugby World Cup wearing the logos of a company deeply tied up with Adani is pretty shocking.’’