White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen is stepping back from her coaching role for the upcoming Rose Bowl series against Australia.
The former international has requested a leave of absence, after a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) T20 World Cup review recommended that all coaching and support staff roles be advertised.
New Zealand was eliminated in pool play in the West Indies, crashing to heavy defeats at the hands of India and Australia.
High performance coach Bob Carter will act as interim coach with Tiffen absent.
Tiffen said it was in the best interests of the White Ferns that she distance herself from the team for the three-match series, beginning February 22 in Perth.
"I just want to do what's best for the team," she said.
"The review was fairly confronting and challenging, and I can't really imagine being in the right frame of mind to help this side during the upcoming Rose Bowl series.
"I love the players, I love the team and I love the job, but for everyone's sake, I think this is the best course of action at the moment."
Head of high performance Bryan Stronach said NZC accepted Tiffen's request and would provide support for her during what was clearly a stressful time.
"The high performance environment is an extremely challenging one and the most important thing we can do right now is to make sure we support Haidee," he said.
"We totally respect her position and will work through this with her."
Stronach said Tiffen would remain on her contract until it expires on July 31 and she had been encouraged to re-apply for the position.
Newshub.
