The former director of the Capital Shakers team has been a player, umpire, coach and administrator and will replace Lee Piper who is departing after nine years of service.

Hatchwell is a financial management consultant and will bring "a wealth of experience in commercial and governance" according to NNZ.

She is currently a director and chair of the Audit Committees of Aorere Resources Ltd and Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd, as well as a director and member of the Audit Committee of ServiceIQ, the industry training organisation for the service sector. 

New Zealand are one of the world's best netball sides, having won the World Championships on four occasions.

The country also won the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in Melbourne and 2010 in New Delhi, but were second behind rivals Australia at last year's World Cup.

The Silver Ferns also had to make do with the runners-up tag in the previous two editions of the tournament in 2011 and 2007, when it was known as the World Championships.