When the first Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 2008, it was planned that New Zealand would take part, but the team withdrew shortly before the start of the tournament.

They were replaced by a scratch team, the Pacific Island Barbarians, which included former New Zealand international Tawera Nikau.

[2][3] As one of the top three rugby league nations, the absence of a wheelchair team representing New Zealand at the 2021 World Cup was notable and led to a number of groups, including the Warriors Community Foundation, New Zealand Rugby League and Disability Sport Auckland, working towards developing the sport in New Zealand with the aim of participating in the next World Cup.

[4][5][6] In November 2024, the New Zealand team played their first international match in a Test series against Australia at the Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland.

Jamie Tapp became the first player to score for New Zealand, but Australia won both matches for a 2–0 series victory.