Sports in New Zealand

Sports in New Zealand

The clean and alluring outdoors, rugged landscape and the mild climate in New Zealand gives an opportunity to its natives to indulge themselves into sports of different kinds. This is reflected by the percentage, equaling to 35 percent of the adult population, belonging to sports of some kind or the other.
Some of the popular sports are:

- Rugby: Among all sections of New Zealand's society Rugby Union is the most favored one and the people often associate it with their national identity. During the beginning of international matches the All Blacks team traditionally perform a haka, a traditional Maori challenge.

- Cricket: In New Zealand cricket is the highest profile summer sport. It is not widely played at the national levels as in case of rugby.

- Golf: New Zealand can be the ideal destination for a golfer with about 400 golf courses which is much ahead of its population. The major season for golf is March -October. The green fees vary from club to club, $10 to $40, depending on the location and the standing of the club. Also there is the provision of hired equipments and resident professionals. New Zealand can boast of prestigious PGA golf tours.

- Motor Racing: Motor Racing has an ardent following in New Zealand. New Zealand has produced world class champions in Formula One Grand Prix as well as Motor Racing. There are many levels of motor sport series in New Zealand which can merely be broken down into-

Water sports - Hydro-planing, Jetski Racing and Thundercat Racing.
Automobile Racing - Club and national level circuit racing and rallying, with some international events, as well as speedway.
Motorcycle Racing - Street, Circuit and Dirt/ Motocross.

- Horse Racing: In recent years though it has lost its popularity still it is considered as an important part of New Zealand's culture. This sport in New Zealand is connected with gambling. Those who are passionate about this sport should spend a day at the "gallops" or a night at the "trots". Bookmaking is banned and the minimum bet is only $1.

Other sports in New Zealand

The other types of sports in New Zealand include:
- Netball
- Soccer
- Yachting
- Equestrian
- Gliding
- Orienteering
- Mountaineering
- Australian rules football
- Olympic Games

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