Jackson Garden-Bachop is coming off a season with CA Brive in France.

He was born in Dunedin and raised in Wellington, and is of Māori, Samoan, French Polynesian and Cook Island descent.

After helping Wellington to end their 22-year NPC title drought in 2022 against Canterbury, he was part of their sixth title victory in 2024 against Bay of Plenty.

He has previously played for the Melbourne Rebels and Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and made his debut for the Māori All Blacks in 2017.

Garden-Bachop comes from a talented sporting family. This includes father Stephen who played for the All Blacks and Manu Samoa, while his late mother Sue represented the Black Ferns.

Garden-Bachop is also the older brother of Highlander’s back the late Connor Garden-Bachop.

Former Moana Pasifika Head Coach Aaron Mauger is also his cousin.

Moana Pasifika debut: Yet to play