The 53-year-old’s contract ends in June and he has confirmed he will step away from the white ball formats.
However, he has not decided whether he will reapply for the role of test coach.
“I’m looking forward to getting away from touring life for a while and having a think about my future,” Stead said in a press release.
“My focus has been on finishing the season strongly with a lesser experienced team.
“The past six to seven months have been particularly busy with relatively non-stop cricket action since September.
“I now want to evaluate my options but still feel I have coaching left in me, albeit not as head coach across all formats.
“The next month will give me the opportunity to discuss the situation more with my wife, family and others.
“I’ll be in a better position to know whether I want to reapply for the test coaching position after this time of reflection.”
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is holding off on making a decision as well.
NZC chief high performance officer Bryan Stronach said Stead deserved the opportunity to take time out over his decision.
“Gary’s results have been very impressive over a long period and we’re very comfortable giving him some time to collect his thoughts and mull things over,” Stronach said.
“At the moment we haven’t any strong preference for either a split-coaching role or a sole appointment who covers all three formats, and we’re unlikely to be clearer on that until we see who’s putting their name forward.”
Whoever takes over the role/roles will be walking out to the middle in the wake of a rather impressive innings.
Stead is the Black Caps' most successful coach. He took over from Mike Hesson in 2018 and has presided over a glorious period for the team.
The Black Caps tied with England in the final of the 2019 World Cup. England was awarded the title on a controversial boundary countback and that rule has since been abandoned.
He led the Black Caps to glory in the inaugural World Test Championship. They beat India in the final in Southhampton in June 2021.
India prevailed in the final but the Black Caps once again outstripped expectations.
And that has been a trademark of Stead’s tenure.
He has also presented as calm and in control even when the results have not been as hoped.
The baby stayed in the bath following a tough loss.
Players got an opportunity to rebound and that blueprint worked well for the team.
The Black Caps’ first-choice lineup has not been an easy side to crack under his leadership.
Former Otago and Central Districts coach Rob Walter has been positioned as the early favourite to replace Stead for the coloured clothing duties.
He resigned as Proteas limited-overs coach in the last week to further his coaching career in his adopted home of New Zealand.
Walter declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
‘‘I’m still under contract until the end of the month. Maybe we can pick it up after that,’’ he said in a text.
Black Caps assistant coach Luke Ronchi has subbed in for Stead before and is another strong candidate.
He has a lack of head coaching experience, however, and that could work against the former Black Caps gloveman.
Canterbury coach Peter Fulton had a stint with the national team as a batting coach and he will be able to submit a compelling curriculum vitae, as will Wellington coach Shane Jurgensen, who has had a couple of stints as the bowling coach for the Black Caps.
Northern Districts coach BJ Watling and Central Districts coach Glenn Pocknall could be outsiders.
Former Black Cap skippers Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori are employed offshore.
There is always a chance someone from overseas might fancy the job, but there is plenty of depth in the New Zealand domestic coaching stocks.
