Sports in New Zealand are part of the everyday life of New Zealanders. They are practically in contact with them daily, either practicing it, watching it on TV, or even attending live matches. For this reason, if you have this country in mind as your next destination to live, work or study, it is necessary that you start little by little to learn and be guided about the sports that move them daily.
Four Sports in New Zealand
1. Bungee Jumping
This is one of the sports in New Zealand that has become a must. But it is not a sport suitable for cardiac, because as you know, it is about jumping from a bridge directly into the cliff tied by nothing more than an elastic. Does it sound dangerous? Don’t worry; everything is under control. This activity began in this country in 1980 when two guys, Hackett and Henry Van Asch, organized a different kind of excursion to the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown. Once they arrived there, they surprised everyone when they decided it was time to jump off the bridge. That alone was enough to position Bungee Jumping as one of the most popular sports in New Zealand.
2. Netball
Netball is one of the most popular sports in New Zealand, especially among women. The game is similar to basketball and works as follows: there are seven players on each team who can only move in certain areas and cannot move with the ball in their hands, so a series of passes are made until the ball reaches the shooter. The ball cannot be in the hands of the same player for more than 3 seconds, and as we said, only passes can be made, except for the shooter and the attacker, the only ones who can score. The national team won the Netball World Championship 4 times, obtaining second place seven times.
3. Rugby
It is almost impossible to talk about this sport without mentioning New Zealand. And New Zealanders know it. This is undoubtedly the most popular sport and arouses more passion and pride among New Zealanders. No New Zealand landscape, whether in cities or towns, does not have the two typical rugby posts. The passion for rugby is so ingrained among New Zealanders that if you can’t be on the field, you can make a living off it. There are university degrees and vocational courses in the sport, which are in great demand among the country’s student body. This sport arrived in New Zealand around 1870 by the hand of Charles Monro, and only 18 years later, the New Zealand Rugby Union was founded. Today, this discipline has its league, the National Provincial Championship, founded in 1976. And the history of this sport in New Zealand continues; in 1987, New Zealand already hosted the first Rugby World Cup and won it again in 2011.
Nowadays, rugby is very much the backbone of this country. Four main events are held there, which dominate and define the annual sporting calendar. On the one hand, the Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe Cup, and at the local level, regional teams compete for the title of national rugby champions in the Super 15 and the ITM Cup. In addition, thanks to the success of Rugby, New Zealanders have also developed a passion for sports betting, wagering on the best betting and casinos’ no-deposit bonus platforms. With the arrival of online gambling, New Zealanders started playing online casinos in recent years. These platforms offer plenty of excellent bonuses, as many companies are happy to provide New Zealanders, who are known for their love of pokies and sports betting, with a bit of free cash to get them started.
4. Hiking
New Zealand is simply a spectacular country for hiking, with its breathtaking mountain peaks and rocky summits, and it is one of the most popular outdoor activities. We know that New Zealanders love outdoor sports, which is not surprising. For example, New Zealand has several places to practice quality hiking: The Southern Alps, the training ground for Edmund Hillary before he climbed Everest, and Mount Cook, with its imposing 3,753 meters of altitude. Of course, there are instructors and expert mountaineering guides to help you make an incredible journey and to answer any questions you may have.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
