- Will depart for Australia a year before his contract expires
NSW Origin prop Mitchell Barnett has confirmed he will leave the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the 2026 season, revealing his child’s medical needs are behind the decision to cut short his time in New Zealand.
The 31-year-old enforcer was contracted until the end of 2027 but requested an early release to relocate his family back to Australia, closer to their support network in Taree on the NSW mid-north coast.
‘It’s extremely hard coming to this decision,’ Barnett told News Corp.
‘The decision I’ve made is the one that’s best for my family. This is based purely on our child’s medical needs and our need to be back around family going forward.
‘I’m a father and husband before a footballer and that’s why, ultimately, I’m extremely comfortable with the decision.’
The Warriors granted Barnett a release from the final year of his deal, prioritising family over contract security in a move that stunned many across the NRL.
Mitch Barnett has announced that he will leave the NZ Warriors at the end of the season
The representative forward wants to return to Australia due to his child’s health battle and has been granted a release
A return to Newcastle is a possibility, with a number of clubs ready to throw their hats in the ring for the star forward
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club had no hesitation once they understood the full circumstances.
‘We’re very sad to see this happen but Mitch and his family need to be back home,’ George said.
‘He has become such a big part of our club. We love having him here and we know how much he loves it, too, but it’s important he, Clare and their boys are back around their family support network.’
Barnett has been in discussions with coach Andrew Webster and club management since November as the situation evolved.
While he declined to go into detail about his child’s condition, he made clear the call was not football-driven.
‘Predominantly the family we’re trying to get close to is in Taree,’ Barnett said.
‘I think, you know, any of those sort of teams around NSW or Queensland, where it will be easily accessible for family narrows it down, but there’s been no discussion.’
Barnett has played 177 NRL games since debuting in 2015, including 126 appearances for the Newcastle Knights before crossing to Auckland, where his form elevated him to State of Origin and Kangaroos honours.
His Warriors tenure also included a devastating ACL injury last season, from which he is set to return early in the 2026 campaign.
Despite the personal toll of the decision, Barnett insists he remains fully committed to finishing strongly.
‘I’ve got a clear direction on where I’m going and what’s required of me as a footballer,’ he said.
‘We’ve got real clear direction on where we’re going as a family, so it will free my mind up for this season so that I can give it my all.’
Where he lands in 2027 remains uncertain. Clubs in NSW and Queensland loom as logical options, but Barnett’s focus for now is firmly on family and honouring his final season in Warriors colours.
