There was a time, not so long ago, when New Zealand was considered a scenic addition to a global golf itinerary. It was a beautiful, distant footnote to the more established fairways of Scotland or the Monterey Peninsula. But this has changed. If you have been keeping an eye on the world rankings or the chatter in the clubhouse lately, you will know that Aotearoa has become the destination for luxury golfers across the globe.

So, what changed? How did a small nation in the South Pacific suddenly find itself home to multiple courses in the World’s Top 100?

The Coastal Edge

New Zealand’s geography is a literal playground for golf architects. While much of the world is struggling to find pure links land, our coastline is practically made of it.

In the North Island, you have the dramatic, soaring cliffs of Cape Kidnappers. Here, you are playing shots over fingers of land that drop 140 metres straight into the Pacific. Then you have the recent surge of development at Te Arai and the legendary Tara Iti. These are courses that have redefined what modern links golf looks like. These are not just well-manicured greens. They are rugged, sandy, wind-swept masterpieces that feel like they have been there for centuries.

International golfers are travelling here because they are chasing a specific kind of edge-of-the-world golf that you simply cannot find in Europe or the States. It is the feeling of having the horizon all to yourself with nothing between you and the ocean but a well-struck 7-iron.

The Rise of Zero Compromise Travel

It is not just about the grass, though. The surge in popularity is also being driven by a massive shift in how people want to travel. The modern golfer is looking for more than just a 7:02 AM tee time. They are looking for a seamless, high-end experience that starts the moment they touch down.

We have moved past the era of the standard tour. Today’s luxury traveller expects a zero compromise approach. They want the world-class course in the morning, a private helicopter transfer to a remote vineyard for lunch, and a luxury lodge stay that rivals anything in the Northern Hemisphere by evening.

This is where the local edge makes the difference. At Par Excellence Golf Tours, we see this demand first-hand. It is one thing to book a round at a famous course; it is quite another to navigate the logistics of a country that is as rugged as it is beautiful. People are seeking out specialists who can bridge the gap between great golf and a flawless journey. They want the insider knowledge. This is the kind of intel that gets you onto the private fairways and into the hidden gems that do not show up on a standard search.

An Alpine Counterpoint

While the coastal links get a lot of the headlines, the South Island offers a completely different and equally addictive drawcard. Central Otago, and Queenstown in particular, has become a global hub for Alpine Golf.

Playing at Jack’s Point or The Hills is not just a round of golf. It is a sensory experience. You are hitting shots against the backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range, where the air is crisp and the scenery is so grand it is almost distracting. The beauty of the New Zealand circuit is this variety. You can spend three days on the white-sand dunes of the North and be standing on a mountain-side tee in the South by the following afternoon.

The Bucket List Effect

New Zealand has always had the reputation for being a bucket list country, but for a long time, golf was just a small part of that. Now, the golf is the anchor. We are seeing a massive influx of travellers from the US, UK, and Asia who are specifically building 7-day or 14-day missions around our Top 50 courses.

But they are not just coming for the trophies. They are coming for the pace of life. There is a certain quiet luxury here and a lack of pretension that you do not always find at the world’s other top-tier destinations. You can play a course that costs hundreds of millions to build, and then have a world-class Pinot Noir with a local who is more interested in your round than your handicap.

Looking Ahead

The momentum is not slowing down. With more world-class developments on the horizon and a tourism industry that is leaning heavily into high-value, bespoke experiences, New Zealand’s status as a global heavyweight is cemented.

The lure of the coast, the precision of the alpine courses, and the sheer ease of a professionally managed tour all play a part. The word is out. New Zealand golf is not just about the game anymore; it is about the journey. And for those who have made the trip, there is usually only one question left: When can we come back?

Raglan surfers Billy Stairmand and Maya Mateja claimed the premier divisions of the 2026 National Surfing Championships presented by Trust Tairawhiti on Saturday (17th January) taking the trophies north from Gisborne.

Under moody skies and unruly 1.5m waves at Makorori Beach, the two surfers added to their tallies, Stairmand extending his impressive tally to nine while 17‑year‑old Mateja claimed her second title.

Having last won a title in 2021, 36‑year‑old Stairmand had to battle the largest field of surfers in the past two decades for the win and by his own admission had battled to find his feet during the seven‑day event.

"I had a couple of scrappy heats this week, it was small most of the week but contestable and I just couldn't find my rhythm. I actually changed up my boards today too which was good and I saved my best performance until last," stated Stairmand who finished with a 17.84 point heat total for the win in what ultimately was a dominant performance.

"I started with that left hander and got an 8.67 then I got a right that allowed three good turns and I thought it was better," he added of his second scoring ride – a 9.17.

"My ninth title feels real good. Stoked on the win going into Hawaii next week, it looks like some good swell around over there, the conditions will be a bit different to here, that's for sure," said Stairmand who departs to Hawaii on Tuesday to contest the second last WSL Challenger Series event of the series.

Defending National Champion Alexis Owen was the only surfer that stayed in reach of Stairmand posting an 8.33 point ride to open the final. Needing a near perfect 9.51 point ride for the win, the Dunedin surfer remained patient all final looking for the opportunity but the clock beat him and he had to settle for a well‑deserved runner‑up finish.

Taranaki surfer Daniel Farr finished the final in third place and together with first‑time finalist Cooper Roberts (Mnt) in fourth, was left requiring a combination of scores to match Stairmand.

By contrast the women's final was an edge‑of‑your‑seat match‑up with 0.67 points separating first from fourth with the lead swinging several times through the 25 minutes.

Mateja grabbed the win late and on her last scoring ride of 5.73 to post a 12.80 heat total for her second title, her first coming in 2024.

"I feel so happy and blessed, super grateful to be here with my family and enjoy the event and get the win this week," said Mateja.

"Really hard conditions today, I didn't know what was going on out there because I couldn't hear the scores coming out. The other girls were surfing good, so I knew I had to concentrate on getting more good waves for the win and when I came into the beach, I found out that I did enough," she added.

Mateja was proud to win alongside Billy as someone she looks up to. "I love his surfing, it means a lot to me to win alongside him today and take two titles back to Raglan," she said.

Second and third placed surfers Ariana Walker (Mnt) and Leia Millar (Piha) both finished in fourth with Walker getting the nod by way of her 7.40 point ride as the highest of the two surfers. Walker was another surfer to sit patiently and wait for a final good ride after taking the early lead in the final but the young surfer fell short by the time the final hooter sounded.

Millar again only needed a small 6.11 ride for the win in her first year out of the age groups but the conditions didn't give her the opportunity to challenge for her first title. Alani Morse (Rag) while finishing fourth, was never out of the title race after surfing five heats on the final day of the event, chasing a small 5.4 point ride for the title.

In the junior divisions it was Alexis Owen (Dun) who earlier secured the win in the Under 18 Boys alongside Poppy Entwisle (Tara) in the Girls Division. Owen completed the full set of age‑group titles having previously won the Under 14 and 16 Boys Divisions. For Entwisle, she added to her 2022 title in the Under 14 Girls Division and heads.

For the Under 16 Division it was Vitor Bauermann (Mnt) who defended his title in the boys division and the experienced yet young Lola Groube (Pau) winning her first ever title for the girls.

Jaxon Willows (Mnt) and Izaro Williamson Sasia (Tara) won the Peter Byers Most Outstanding Performance Award for the event after the two young surfers claimed double titles in the longboard divisions winning the open and age‑group divisions.

Just under 400 entries across 28 divisions were received for the event which featured competition across shortboard, longboard, stand‑up paddleboard (SUP), kneeboard, bodyboard and adaptive disciplines, with divisions spanning from Under 14s through to Over 70s.

The event marks the first of eight national events around the New Zealand coastline as part of the Epic Break summer campaign showcasing surfing talent and celebrating the surfing community between January and April.

The 2026 event is hosted by Gisborne Boardriders Club alongside Trust Tairawhiti. They are joined by event partners Neighbourhood Cantina, Chris Fougere Orthopaedics, Kiwi Holiday Insurance, ACC and Sun Bum.

The 2026 National Surfing Championships commences both the domestic NZ Surf Series, NZ Grom Series and NZ Longboard Series with events scheduled around the country this summer.

A new points structure will apply to the women's Super Smash this season to promote higher scoring cricket that aligns with the evolving standards of the international game.

Teams can only receive one bonus point - through either scoring 150 runs or more, regardless of batting first or second, or achieving a run rate of >1.25x that of the opposition in the second innings. Bonus points will not apply to the elimination and grand finals.

An internal analysis of current global trends in international and leading domestic competitions reflected a clear acceleration in scoring rates, boundaries percentages and first-innings averages, signaling a clear shift in what now constitutes competitive T20 performances.

WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer said the revised points structure will incentivise performance bevhaviours that enhance New Zealand's prospects of success on the international stage.

"It's an exciting addition to the competition," said Sawyer.

"It'll reward both aggressive batting and proactive wicket-taking bowling plans, which are the key skillsets required in this format.

"We hope that it'll encourage teams to align their style of play with international standards, which in turn elevates the domestic game and strengthen players' international readiness.

"We're expecting high scoring matches next year at the T20 World Cup in June, so this is a great opportunity for our players to get ready for that.

Sawyer acknowledged the bonus point structure is not a silver bullet that will improve the batting standards but is a step in the right direction.

"We're not suggesting that the revised points structure is the single solution.

"Individual skill, tactical awareness and coaching still plays a major role in improving the general batting standards in the women's game."

Wellington Blaze head coach Jonny Bassett-Graham said he was fully supportive of the change.

"I think it's a great development for the women's competition," said Bassett-Graham.

"It'll encourage teams to play a style that'll not only drive the standard of cricket forward but should result in entertaining T20 games.

"For the players it's about being agile enough to adapt and embrace a change that'll help them develop skillsets to break into international ranks."

The Super Smash presented by KFC begins on Friday December 26 at Seddon Park between hosts Northern Brave and Auckland Aces and Hearts.

All matches are available to watch live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ DUKE, with live scoring at nzc.nz and the NZC App.

I have advised the Board that I will step down as CEO of New Zealand Cricket on 30 January 2026.

After careful consideration, it has become clear that I hold a different view from several Member Associations, and the NZCPA, on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand. Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here.

It has been a privilege to lead NZC, and I am proud of what the organisation has achieved in the past two and a half years. We have delivered exceptional results on and off the field, including record financial performances and the signing of long-term broadcast agreements with Sky and Sony. Our people have driven a culture of strong engagement and commitment, and NZC is now in a strong financial position.

I want to acknowledge the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS for the pride they have brought to New Zealand. Highlights for me include the WHITE FERNS winning the T20 Cricket World Cup and the BLACKCAPS series victory over India and appearance in the Champions Trophy final.

I thank my NZC colleagues for their support and dedication, along with many stakeholders I have worked closely with, and the wider cricket community who have offered private and public support throughout my time at NZC. I also appreciate the great relationships I have with the NZ Government, ICC, member nations including the BCCI and Cricket Australia, media, and our broadcast and commercial partners.

While I am saddened to leave after such a successful period, I do not wish to create ongoing instability by continuing without the support of some key stakeholders. I depart with pride in the excellent progress made by NZC during my time as CEO, and confidence in the people in NZC who will carry the game forward. I will return to the role of Executive Chair of Xceda Group, subject to regulatory approvals, in the new year. I will take with me great memories of my time with NZC.

NZC Board Chair, Diana Puketapu-Lyndon says that "NZC acknowledges and thanks Scott for his positive contribution to New Zealand Cricket during his time as CEO, and wishes him well for the future."

New Zealand secured its first medals at the World Sailing Youth World Championships since 2022 - and delivered the country's biggest medal haul in seven years - after a dramatic final day in Vilamoura, Portugal.

The 13-strong NZL Sailing Foundation team claimed a silver and two bronze medals overnight, capped by an exceptional performance from 16-year-old Toby Wigglesworth in the boys' kitefoil event.

Wigglesworth started the final day in second place overall and sealed his silver medal with a fifth-place finish in the only completed race of the day for the proudest moment of his young sailing career.

"It feels amazing to be a youth worlds medallist; it was one of my dreams and one of my biggest goals," Wigglesworth said. "I spent many hours on the water, training with the rest of the New Zealand kitefoiling group, and a lot of time in the gym and preparing gear. It was just a great experience. This regatta was one of the best of my career, and hopefully, I can keep building on this."

The Kiwis also earned medals in both 420 fleets — the boys' and girls' two-person dinghy events. Seventeen-year-olds Tessa Clinton and Amelia Higson ended the final day in third overall, despite no racing being possible due to time constraints.

Clinton admitted the waiting game was nerve-wracking, but the delay ultimately worked in their favour, securing them a spot on the podium without further racing. She credited their consistency in a range of conditions and hard work leading up to the event for their success.

"We knew we'd probably do okay in the breeze, but we were unsure about how we would perform in the light winds. European sailors are known for their light-wind sailing, so when we had light days, we were nervous. But it turned out we sailed some really good races, which was awesome," Clinton said.

"We sailed four or five times a week in New Zealand - rain, shine, no matter the conditions. It was tough at times, juggling sailing with exams, and Amelia had to drive over an hour from Maraetai to Takapuna every day. But we never gave up and stayed focused. It feels great to know that all that hard work has paid off, but we couldn't have done it without our amazing coaches."

In the boys' fleet, Cam Brown and Oli Stone had significant ground to make up on the final day. Starting in seventh place, the pair mounted an impressive comeback, finishing second in all three races to secure third place overall.

"The last day of the regatta, we knew it was all on for a medal," said 18-year-old Brown, a veteran of three Youth World Championships. "We just needed three good races."

The young duo, who only began sailing together just over a year ago, stuck to their proven formula for success.

"Our goal was to just follow our roles and routines, and we managed to do that really well in the end," Brown said. "Winning a medal has been a long time coming, and I'm very proud of myself and Oli for achieving it."

While the medallists stole the spotlight, the rest of the team also delivered strong performances, showcasing the depth of New Zealand's sailing talent.

Tom Pilkington was 15th in the boys' ILCA 6 fleet, while Chloe Turner placed 18th in the girls' ILCA 6.

In the girls' 29er, Jess Handley and Bella Jenkins finished 13th, with Will Leech and William Mason 14th in the boys' fleet.

On the windsurfing front, Daniella Wooldridge was 14th in the girls' iQFOiL, while Ben Rist secured 19th place in the boys' competition.

Sam Mackay, Yachting New Zealand's Youth Programme Manager, praised the team for their resilience in challenging conditions and unfamiliar waters. This marked New Zealand's first podium success since Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush won bronze in the boys' 29er in 2022.

"It's been a cool week, but definitely testing. The event setup is fantastic with great facilities, and everyone stayed in the same hotel. But, being in Europe in winter, we had less daylight and more unpredictable weather. Many of the team raced the entire regatta in under 10 knots, while some faced gusts well over 30 knots on day two," Mackay said.

"The scheduling at Youth Worlds is tough since we share race courses, so you always have to be ready to race at any moment. We talked a lot as a team before the event that, while things on shore can change, once we push off the dock, we need to treat every race the same and be ready to go."

Mackay also highlighted the strength of New Zealand's young sailing talent, noting that the team is well-positioned for future success.

"There's been a lot of hard work behind this performance, and the team is really set up for future success," he said. "Most of this group have the chance to come back next year and build on what they've achieved. This is a real positive sign for the future."

Steve Armitage, Yachting New Zealand's Chief Executive, praised the preparation that went into the event - especially the connections with sailors in Yachting New Zealand's high-performance programme.

"Sam and our wider coaching team of Jenny Armstrong, Sara Winther and Andrew Brown deserve credit for the way they have prepared the team and guided them through the regatta," Armitage said. "The results on the water are testament not only to the hard work of the athletes, but also to the focus and dedication of their coaching staff, families and wider support teams."

New Zealand has a proud history at the Youth Sailing World Championships, with 58 medals - 17 gold, 21 silver, and 20 bronze - since the event's inception in 1971. The 2018 team set a record by winning four medals in Corpus Christi.

Past notable winners include America's Cup skippers, Olympic medallists, and Volvo Ocean Race sailors such as Alex Maloney, Blair Tuke, Chris Dickson, Russell Coutts, Dean Barker, and Stuart Bannatyne.

The team is proudly supported by the NZL Sailing Foundation (formerly the NZL Yachting Trust), Oceanbridge, VMG, and High Performance Sport New Zealand.

Final results from the 2025 World Sailing Youth World Championships are available here.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), on behalf of Auckland Council, has confirmed a $5 million capital grant towards the Tennis Auckland Roof Project, completing the $15 million fund required to deliver a major upgrade to the Manuka Doctor Arena - a key regional facility and home of the long-standing ASB Classic.

Today's announcement comes as Auckland prepares to welcome players and visitors for the 2026 ASB Classic, which begins on 5 January. With tennis already on everyone's minds, TAU says it is timely to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening one of the region's iconic event venues.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says it's about making the most of key assets and encouraging sporting events that deliver real value for Aucklanders.

This needs to be done. I've been at too many events ruined by rain. This is about making sure we have venues at a standard for world‑class events to continue.

TAU Chief Executive Nick Hill says the project is a well‑considered and prudent investment in a proven asset and is an example of a collaborative approach between central and local government.

The ASB Classic consistently delivers strong benefits for Auckland, but weather disruption presents a growing risk to its success, Hill says.

By jointly supporting a permanent roof over centre court, we are protecting those benefits, ensuring certainty for event organisers and audiences and strengthening an important facility that serves Aucklanders year‑round.

Each year, the ASB Classic delivers an average GDP benefit of $2.1 million to the region, delivers over 16,000 visitor nights and reaches an estimated global broadcast audience of 30 million. Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, however, have placed pressure on the event's ability to run uninterrupted.

The addition of the roof will expand how the Manuka Doctor Arena can be used, enabling a wider range of indoor sporting, entertainment and community activities beyond elite tennis. This includes hosting sports such as basketball and volleyball, community events, and new commercial and cultural opportunities.

TAU will also gain commercial and brand benefits from the investment, including increased visibility for Auckland Council Events, value‑in‑kind usage rights, and permanent branding opportunities within the precinct.

Auckland Council Events will have a stronger footprint at the venue, ensuring Aucklanders can more clearly see the council's role in supporting major events that bring people together and generate value for the region, Hill says.

This project strengthens a regionally significant asset and supports Auckland's reputation as an international events destination.

Tennis Auckland Chief Executive Officer Rohan West says the grant finalises the full funding package for the project.

Tennis Auckland sincerely thanks Tataki Auckland Unlimited and the Auckland Council for this vote of confidence. As a major and long‑term partner of Tennis Auckland, the ASB Classic and the Manuka Doctor Arena as a venue, this funding provides certainty for the project, West says.

We are very excited for the future and are ready to greenlight the next phase of the project. We can't wait to get things underway.

The project is co‑funded by TAU, the Government, and Tennis Auckland, bringing total investment to $15 million.

The Manuka Doctor Arena sits on council‑owned land administered under the Domain Act 1987 and is operated by the Tennis Auckland Region Incorporated, a registered charitable trust.

The New Zealand Junior Surfing Team have finished tenth at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship completed in Peru at the start of the week.

The team finished the campaign with two seventh place finishes by Leia Millar and Lola Groube in the Under 18 Girls Division as well as a thirteenth place finish by Vitor Bauermann in the Under 16 Boys Division, all acehived on the penultimate day of the event.

Australia backed up their 2024 gold medal team result with USA in second and Brazil in third. Host nation Peru finished in fourth.

Piha's Leia Millar built on her performances throughout the event and going into the final two days had caught the eye of her opponents and officials. In her final heat, Millar got off to a great start early with a 5.33 point ride. Her second ride was shaping up nicely before falling on a major second turn. Millar was not afforded many opportunities after that and had to settle for third behind surfers from France and China.

"So so gutted to miss out on the finals day and a potential podium but I'm definitely proud of a seventh-place finish," said Millar.

"Overall I'm really happy with my campaign, I felt like I got my name out there and did some surfing that I am proud of. Today's (Sunday) heat was tough, it was super close, but I'm happy to know I was amongst the top girls at this event," she added, crediting the awesome team culture, teammates and support staff that helped her campaign and the endless effort they put into their performances.

"Stoked to have my last event as a junior be a good one," add Millar as she moves out of the age groups.

Millar was joined by 14‑year‑old Lola Groube in finishing seventh in the Under 18 Girls Division. Groube again had her chances in her final match up. With low scores across the board for her opponents, Groube hunted a big wide set. As she scrambled for the shoulder of the wave to catch it, the lip slammed her in the back making her belly ride to the bottom before being unable to recover and ride the wave for potential progression.

The Peru waves suited the Pauanui surfer who quietly went about her work during the week posting big scores and selecting the best waves on offer to advance through multiple rounds.

Gold Coast based Vitor Bauermann was the top ranked male of the New Zealand Team finishing a credible thirteenth in his first international event.

On borrowed equipment all week, Bauermann had worked his way through the rounds, predominantly on the second podium. Another unforced error for the Kiwi team cost Bauermann in his last heat of his campaign finishing third in his heat early on the second last day of the event.

"My heat was pretty slow, I got a good first wave but unfortunately fell on my back up wave which would have played a big part in my heat total," commented Bauermann.

"I am stoked with my result, this being my first international event, and I am looking forward to more opportunities in the future," he added.

This year's event was held at Punta Rocas, a consistent right and lefthand point break that has delivered good conditions to date. This year's event had a record 424 participants from 57 countries taking part. New Zealand bettered the eleventh place finish achieved in 2024.

Please see below for final results from the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships held in Peru from the 7‑15 December 2025:

• Under 18 Girls: Leia Millar (Piha) – 7th; Lola Groube (Pau) – 7th; Chloe Groube (Pau) – 73rd
• Under 18 Boys: Alexis Owen (Dun) – 37th; Tao Mouldey (Mnt) – 55th; Jacob Haines (Rag) – 55th
• Under 16 Girls: Brisa Canina (Sunshine Coast) – 13th; Alani Morse (Rag) – 19th; Poppy Arkle (Piha) – 25th
• Under 16 Boys: Vitor Bauermann (Gold Coast) – 13th; Benji Lowen (Coffs Harbour) – 49th; Luca Thompson (Rag) – 49th

The nine-hole, par 32 Gibbston Valley Golf Course designed by Kiwi golfing legend-turned architect Greg Turner has been carefully planned to offer a modern take on the centuries-old game.

The layout features a mix of five par fours and four par threes, with the longest hole measuring approximately 307m. Built over the past two years, the course occupies the river terrace above the dramatic Kawarau Gorge, weaving between characteristic rock features and the historic mine tailings from the gold rush days.

Gibbston Valley Golf Course is expected to officially open to the public in March 2026, following the completion of its Clubhouse, pro shop, gym, heated pool and jacuzzi and to coincide with curated events in connection with the NZ Open February 26 to March 1. However, it has been accessible to Gibbston Valley Lodge guests and property owners within the adjacent Gibbston Valley Resort in recent months, as the course matures.

Canadian former pro golfer and social media sensation Mac Boucher visited the course this week as part of a travel series he’s filming, on ‘ultimate golfing locations’. He was also hosted at the winery by Gibbston Valley chief winemaker Christopher Keys, who showed Boucher wine and cuisine aspects of the Gibbston Valley Golf Experience that will be on offer when the Clubhouse opens.

Boucher’s connection to Gibbston Valley occurred when he met executive managing director Cristina Griffith earlier this year. He says: “I was one of the first people to play the course with the flags in. The course is awesome, it’s great for all skill levels and checks all the boxes that it should for a nine-hole. The views are amazing.

“I’d say QT is easily one of my favourite golf destinations in the world. There’s so much variety of courses and there seems to be even more opening up in the next few years here, so I think Gibbston is going to fit in really well with its nine-hole course.”

Gibbston Valley Golf Course director Jesus Santos says the short course has been designed to offer all the fun and intrigue of a full-scale golf course but without the half-day commitment usually required.

“Our goal is to create a golf course that accommodates the new needs of the modern golfer. Most people want to play golf but they don’t want to be away from their families all day. Here, people can play nine, have lunch with a glass of wine, and then be back with their families for the rest of the day.”

The course combines intricate green complexes with broad undulating fairways – providing something for all skill levels, from elite players to novices, Santos adds. “It’s a high quality golf course: one that shows its character, that challenges you but is also very elegant.

“One of the standout features of the course is the inclusion of two undulating double greens, shared by holes one and eight, as well as holes two and five. Rather than traditional bunkers, the course utilizes the natural terrain, remnants of gold mining, and prominent rock formations to create challenging and visually striking hazards.”

The Gibbston Valley Golf Course is affiliated with Golf NZ and is currently awaiting its handicap rating. Membership is limited to owners in The Reserve, however Gibbston Valley plans to release a small number of non-resident memberships going into the 2026-2027 season.

By spring 2026, the Gibbston Valley Clubhouse will also link up to the Kawarau Gorge Trail, which connects Gibbston to Bannockburn – further enhancing the experience for wine tourism, golf and cycle tourism in the area.

Key points

• Balanced backpacks help maintain natural posture and gait, reducing forward lean and strain compared with traditional packs, UC researchers have found.
• Traditional backpacks increased muscular effort and balance adjustments, especially downhill, while balanced packs performed similarly to walking with no load, suggesting potential benefits for comfort, efficiency and injury prevention.
• Motion-capture tests across flat, uphill and downhill terrain showed balanced packs keep the centre of gravity closer to its natural position, improving stability and reducing compensatory movements.

UC research shows that balanced backpacks can help trampers maintain natural posture and gait, reducing strain when compared to traditional pack designs.

Tramping is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most popular outdoor pursuits, with 1.14 million New Zealanders taking at least one tramp in 2021. The activity often involves walking long distances over multiple days while carrying a heavy pack, typically 10–20% of a tramper's body weight. These loads can significantly influence walking biomechanics, particularly lumbar and cervical spine loading.

Master's student Timothy Grigg and Dr Sibi Walter from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Faculty of Health and Dr Natalia Kabaliuk from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering have analysed how different backpack designs affect walking mechanics.

"We often focus on pack size or capacity, but how the load is distributed may be what really matters for comfort and performance on the trail," Grigg says.

The study compared walking with no backpack, a traditional backpack and a balanced backpack designed with front and back compartments to distribute the weight more evenly, with participants walking on a treadmill on flat, incline and decline gradients while motion-capture technology recorded their movement patterns.

Focusing on lumbar extension (forward lean of the upper body) and centre of pressure (a key indicator of balance and stability during movement), the research findings revealed how load distribution influences a person's posture on flat, uphill and downhill terrain.

Dr Walter says the results show clear differences between backpack types. "Traditional backpacks place all the load behind the body, which forces trampers to lean forward more to stay balanced. In contrast, the balanced backpack's front-and-back loading system keeps the centre of gravity closer to its natural position. That means walkers maintain a posture much closer to how they move with no pack at all."

The study found that using a traditional backpack caused trampers to lean forward significantly and forced them to make bigger balance adjustments, particularly when walking downhill. These compensations increased muscular effort around the spine and hips, contributing to fatigue, discomfort and potential injury risk during long periods of tramping. In contrast, the balanced backpack showed no significant difference from unloaded walking in key posture and stability measures across all gradients.

Dr Kabaliuk says, "Tramping is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Aotearoa but carrying 10–20% of your bodyweight for multiple days can take a biomechanical toll. Our results suggest that a balanced loading approach reduces that strain and may support more efficient, stable walking, especially on uneven or sloped surfaces."

While this research was carried out in a controlled laboratory setting with a small group of experienced trampers, the findings could help inform both tramping practice and future backpack design, she says.

The UC researchers partnered with a Christchurch outdoors company, Further Faster, to test the different pack designs developed here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Co-owner Julie-Anne Christy says, "We've been using balanced-pack systems in the tramping community for years, and we see the difference they make every day. You move more naturally, you're not fighting your pack, and you finish the day feeling fresher. Having UC researchers put these designs through rigorous biomechanical testing helps validate what trampers have experienced on the trail for a long time, and it's great to see local businesses and local scientists working together to improve how people get outdoors."

Read the full study, here: Laboratory Analysis of Backpack Design and Walking Gradient Effects on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics, is published in Sports (2025).

The 34th Fine Signs Crazyman was one to remember, with a brother and sister taking line honours on one of those can't beat Wellington on a good days.

Established in 1991, the Fine Signs Crazyman has long been the Wellington region's premier multisport event. Based around the Hutt Valley's spectacular harbour, hills and bush trails, the 2025 event dawned to perfect blue skies and gentle breeze for the opening 13k kayak from Eastbourne across Wellington Harbour and up the Hutt River.

Wellington team paddler Paul Moreno led off the water in 1hr 10min 30secs, with overall race favourite Bruce Hughes and Gisborne darkhorse Karl Macpherson right behind him.

Hughes, originally from South Africa, finished second in 2024 and was looking likely for line honours in 2025 when he held his lead through the 34k mountain bike up the Hutt River and over Belmont Regional Park. But in hot conditions he slowly came unstuck on the final 13k trail run down Korokoro Stream to the Petone Wharf finish line.

The athlete to hunt him down was Porirua's Aaron Lynch, but not without a fight. He overhauled Macpherson on the mountain bike but could only take 17secs out of Hughes. Once running, however, Lynch flew over the rough bush tracks to hit the front with about 5k to go. At the finish line he was 55secs clear, winning his first Fine Signs Crazyman title in 4hrs 04min 25secs while Hughes and Macpherson held on to second and third as just 6min covered the first three.

The women's race was also a close affair, with a 15min spread across the top three. But the winner was never in doubt, as pre-race favourite Deb Lynch joined her brother on the top step of the podium.

Lynch, the current Coast to Coast champion, led from start to finish to claim her third Crazyman title. But she didn't have it easy as a pair of Zoe's chased hard the entire way. Timaru's Zoe McClure and Whanganui's

Zoe Anderson were three minutes after the kayak section, but McClure held Lynch on the mountain bike almost to the second. Like her brother, however, Lynch was always going to be the fleetest of foot and romped away to a 10min win in 4hrs 32min 30secs. Behind her, McClure held on for a strong second place, while just 5min further back 16-year-old Anderson showed she's a star in the making with a junior record in third place.

Anderson was the youngest ever female finisher at the Fine Signs Crazyman. At the other end of the scale, Lower Hutt's own 61-year-old Mark Coffey was the eldest solo finisher.

In other races, Paul Moreno's teammates, Blackyard Engineering teammates, Terry Moes and Ryan Tait, held up their end of the bargain to be first multisport team across the line. In the duathlon race Wellington's Dylan Reid was impressive, winning the solo race in 2hrs 40min 56secs to finish 13secs ahead of team My Ride Wellington/Wheelworks of Gavin McCarthy and Matt Cryer.

For full results visit: www.crazyman.co.nz/history.

Former WHITE FERNS trio Anna Peterson (Auckland Cricket), Amy Satterthwaite (Canterbury Cricket) and Sarah Tsukigawa (Otago Cricket) have been appointed female pathway leads within their respective Major Associations.

Considered a key area in the growth of the women's high-performance game, the regional female pathways programme has received additional resource via a joint NZC-Major Associations co-investment aimed at accelerating progress within a system that identifies, develops, and sustains the next generation of WHITE FERNS.

NZC Female Pathways Manager Sara McGlashan, a former WHITE FERN herself, is leading the group of regional pathway managers and ensuring they can connect and learn from each other for maximum impact across the country.

The trio of former WHITE FERNS bring to the pathways diverse experience across different roles in sport.

Peterson, who represented New Zealand 65 times across the two formats, has returned to cricket after recently leading the Women and Girls Strategy at Auckland Rugby Union as the Game Development Officer.

Satterthwaite, who played 256 games for the WHITE FERNS and was appointed an MNZM in 2023 for her services to cricket, has taken on various coaching roles across Canterbury Cricket, WBBL and NZC pathway teams since retiring from international cricket in 2022.

Tsukigawa represented New Zealand 61 times during her five-year international playing career and has previously held selector and assistant coaching roles with her former domestic team the Otago Sparks.

Luke Pomfret joins the Northern Districts pathway team bringing a wealth of experience from his work in English counties Middlesex and Northamptonshire, alongside Jamie Watkins who continues to lead the CD programme using the co-investment to further grow their pathway.

The additional funding follows NZC's Project Push On, a working group established in 2024 with the purpose of building an end-to-end participation and performance system for women and girls across New Zealand, identifying a gap in the pathway system and recommending a higher level of dedicated focus.

McGlashan said the pathway leads are making a noticeable impact.

"From strengthening relationships with clubs and schools to driving high-quality training environments, they're helping create thriving pathways for young cricketers," said McGlashan.

"Environments where players feel supported, inspired, and confident to push their potential is pivotal to their development."

She said the appointment of former players was a valuable asset to the system.

"Having three former players step into pathway manager roles is enormously valuable.

"Their experience allows them to connect with players in a way that truly accelerates development and inspires the next generation on where their journey in cricket can take them."

On Sunday, endurance junkies from all ends of the country will be going Crazy in the Capital when the region's premier multisport event lines up in Lower Hutt for the 34th time.

Established in 1991, the 60k multisport event takes a scenic kayaking, mountain biking and running tour around the iconic outdoor elements of the Hutt Valley.

Event manager Michael Jacques has been participating, coaching and organising in the endurance sport community for 45 years. "We think the Fine Signs Crazyman is the second longest running multisport race in New Zealand," says Jacques.

"Only the Coast to Coast has been around longer and the Crazyman has been won by most of the sport's greats too, so it has a very real stature on the national scene."

The race of the day promises to be among two legends of both the Coast to Coast and the Crazyman. Reigning Coast to Coast Champion, Wellington's own Deb Lynch, is looking for her third Crazyman title. But she'll need to watch for endurance sport legend, Elina Ussher, who since moving from Finland to Nelson in 2007 has won four Coast to Coast titles and an amazing seven Crazyman titles.

Ussher last won the Crazyman in 2017, when she set the still‑standing women's record of 4hrs 16min 03secs. The 49‑year‑old is still a force to be reckoned with in any race, and even Lynch has not been able to break her record, recording 4hrs 19min and change in her wins in 2022 and 2023. Their match up this Sunday is much anticipated as they are very similar athletes, with kayaking being their weakness and running their strength. So the race for line honours could go right to the wire.

The two stars, however, would do well not to focus only on each other because two talented teenagers will be waiting in the wings if they falter. Wellington's Lucy Thorburn set a junior women's record in the Crazyman duathlon two years ago and the 18‑year‑old is now trying her first solo multisport race. Zoe Anderson is part of a mad‑keen multisport family in Whanganui. Last year she was part of a record breaking schools team, but at just 16 she is also making her solo multisport debut.

The men's race will be a matchup between top locals, Bruce Hughes (Wgtn) and Aaron Lynch (Por). The South African born Hughes was second in 2024 behind Whakatane's Sam Clark, but has been a winner at the Porirua Grand Traverse. While Lynch, the brother of Deb Lynch, has been second at the Porirua Grand Traverse and fourth at Crazyman in the past. Hughes is best in the kayak, while Lynch is best on the run, so the race is likely to come down to the 34k mountain on the Hutt River Trail and Belmont Regional Park.

It's great that the Crazyman has that reputation among the country's best multisporters," says Michael Jacques. "But multisport is first and foremost a people's sport" aimed at getting anyone of any age and ability into New Zealand's great outdoors. People like local stalwarts, Les Morris. Until 2023 Morris was the only person to have raced every Crazyman, but a heart surgery saw him miss the start in 2023. But he was back in 2024 and is back again in 2025.

Morris will be teamed with the eldest participant in this year's Crazyman, 69‑year‑old Porirua mountain biker Dave Wallace. Zoe Anderson will be the youngest solo multisporter, while Lower Hutt's own Mark Coffey will be the eldest solo multisporter at age 61.

Certainly, the Fine Signs Crazyman is something worth achieving. On a course that is as spectacular as it is challenging, it kicks off with a 13k kayak from Days Bay in Eastbourne and heads along Wellington Harbour's eastern coastline to Petone. Paddlers take in the historic Petone Wharf and finish in the lower reaches of the Hutt River at Sladden Park.

At Petone they swap kayaks for mountain bikes for a 34k ride up the Hutt River trail and over Belmont Regional Park. The route takes in a hidden tunnel and creek crossings, then peaks out for 360‑degree views from the 442m high Boulder Hill, before passing historic WWII ammunition bunkers and Wellington's oldest farm tracks to finish on dedicated mountain bike trails at the historic Stratton Street Woolshed.

Bikes are then swapped for running shoes for the 13k trail run over the edge of Belmont Hill and down the bush clad Korokoro Stream. Following a trail that was first used by Maori in pre‑European times, this run is as historic as it is spectacular and eventually finishes where European settlers first landed, on Petone Foreshore.

"With harbour swells, more than 1000m of vertical ascent and sometimes challenging weather," says Jacques, "the Fine Signs Crazyman is often called the race from hell. But the views are second to none and the weather is looking awesome, so I reckon it's "a hell of a race".

The 2025 Fine Signs Crazyman is scheduled for Sunday December 14th. See www.crazyman.co.nz for online entry and live entry lists.