Former All Blacks player Shane Christie has died at the age of 39, police confirmed on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
Shane Christie passes away at 39
His death comes only days before the much-anticipated Springboks vs New Zealand rugby test this weekend.
According to police, Christie’s death has been referred to the coroner, and local media reports suggest it may have been suicide. Authorities said they could not provide further details at this stage.
Christie, who retired from rugby in 2017, had spoken openly about his health struggles following multiple concussions during his career. He reported suffering from headaches, memory loss, speech problems, depression, and mood swings — symptoms linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repeated head injuries.
Shane Christie was one of the rugby players who wanted his brain donated to medical science after death so doctors could study the effects of concussions. He campaigned for greater awareness about head injuries in contact sports, saying rugby needed to take the long-term risks more seriously.
CTE, the disease linked to his symptoms, is a condition that damages the brain over time due to repeated knocks to the head. It cannot be diagnosed while someone is alive and can only be confirmed after death. The illness has also been found in hundreds of former American football players.
New Zealand Rugby released a statement saying Christie would be “remembered always” for his contribution to the game and for his passion for player welfare.
Early life and provincial rugby career
Born on 23 September 1985 in Palmerston North, Christie grew up in Nelson before moving to Wellington for school. He worked as a builder for six years before breaking into professional rugby.
He began his senior career with Tasman Mako in 2010, becoming captain and helping the team rise through New Zealand’s provincial rugby competitions. He played key roles in Tasman’s promotion to the Premiership and was later nominated for the ITM Cup Player of the Season award.
Super Rugby and international achievements
In 2013, Christie earned a Super Rugby contract with the Crusaders but moved to the Highlanders the following season. With the Highlanders, he established himself as a reliable flanker and was later made co-captain alongside Ben Smith.
He was part of the Highlanders squad that won their first-ever Super Rugby title in 2015. Christie also represented the All Blacks Sevens and the Māori All Blacks, earning multiple caps on international tours.
Career honours
- Super Rugby champion with the Highlanders – 2015
- ITM Cup Championship winner with Tasman – 2013
- Represented the All Blacks Sevens in the 2010–11 IRB World Series
Christie’s career was cut short at 32 due to ongoing concussion problems. He revealed being concussed three or four times in just six weeks during the 2016 season, which left lasting effects.
After his friend and fellow player Billy Guyton died in 2023 and was confirmed to have had CTE, Christie became even more vocal about protecting players from long-term brain damage.
He co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation, which provides support for players affected by concussions, and pledged to donate his brain to the New Zealand Sports Human Brain Bank for research.