Graham Shaw has stood down as coach of the Black Sticks women, ending his three-year tenure with the side to return to his native Ireland.
Shaw, 43, was appointed as the Black Sticks women's coach in 2019 in the wake of the Mark Hager scandal after he resigned following a review into the team's culture.
But constraints on his family during the COVID-19 pandemic have taken their toll on Shaw, who leaves the Black Sticks women before this year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and Hockey World Cup held across Spain and the Netherlands.
"We've loved living in New Zealand," Shaw said. "But no one could have predicted a pandemic back then, let alone how tough it would be to maintain a programme and prepare for events like the Olympics with lockdowns and huge restrictions.
"It's been a difficult call to make with the Commonwealth Games and World Cup ahead of us this year but I have had to weigh up what's best for our family after being away from home and unable to visit our wider family for so long.
"It was hard to see me in the role beyond 2022, especially with the pull of family back in Ireland.
"Therefore, I thought that it's important to step away now and let the group set itself for the long term. We've assembled a high calibre coaching group around the programme and I know I leave them in good hands."
Hockey New Zealand said Shaw's group of assistant coaches will take charge of the Black Sticks women, with decisions around a new head coach will be made in due course.
