Part 2: Festivals & Events for Sporty

From part 1 –  ‘When you think of New Zealand, you probably think of pristine environments, adventure thrill-seeking and wide open spaces imagery associated with it. It is still a fair assessment of New Zealand, but what can be added to your experience of New Zealand, is the attendance at some of New Zealand’s most popular and exciting events held throughout the country’.

In part 2, we’ve narrowed down some of the premium sporting events on the New Zealand Calendar. If you’ve got balls, racquets, bats, wheels and legs running through your veins, then this is for you.

Unfortunately a couple of these have already been held in 2015 but be sure to check them out in 2016 and secure your tickets nice and early.

For those that like to mix sport and pleasure

New Zealand is home to a multitude of sporting events, but the first cab off our rank is the Crankworx festival. Dubbed the world’s largest mountain bike festival and based out of Rotorua, this is five days of world-class ridding along with a supporting music festival of New Zealand’s top artists.

If you’re in or near Rotorua around March 25-29, this is definitely worth the trip with some of the world’s top riders making an appearance and competing.

The Wellington Sevens are one of New Zealand true iconic sporting events. Hosted over Waitangi Weekend annually, spend the time off school donning your costume and strap yourself in for the latest round of the IRB International Sevens circuit where the sixteen top rugby nations battle for event and world supremacy.

Truly an experience and one that will not be forgotten, this event has been going on for over a decade and is still pulling in packed stadiums.

Much like their rugby counterparts, the rugby league fraternity comes out to party at the Auckland Nines. A two day event that mimics the Wellington Sevens, with a host of costumes, music and the NRL’s superstars playing for a pay check out of the 2.6 million dollars in prize money on offer in 2015. In the second year running, the Nines is gaining a strong following and the atmosphere is electric.

If you’re after something with a round ball and racquet, Auckland is also host to the ASB Classic, New Zealand’s premier tennis event. A WTA event, the ASB Classic is the first tennis event in the New Year calendar, with past winners including Venus Williams (who beat Caroline Wozniacki) earlier this year (2015).

If a four-legged pursuit is something of interest, the New Zealand Cup and Show Week held in Christchurch is a must. Being held over 7-14 November in 2015, the pinnacle day is race day (Cup Day) held at Addington Raceway. Race day includes a Fashion in the Field Event as well as multiple races, including the feature race – the New Zealand Cup.

For the cricket lovers

In 2015, New Zealand is co-host with Australia the Cricket World Cup. Through February and March, see the cricket dominant countries battling it out throughout the country (and Australia) for ultimate supremacy and bragging rights.

You can find more information at http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/fixtures to see the teams and fixtures that are being played at a venue near you.

One semi-final will be held at Eden Park in Auckland, before the final shifts over the Tasman, to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground).

For the soccer lovers

2015 sees the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in New Zealand. Throughout the country you’ll be able to see the stars of tomorrow play for the countries.

For venues, fixtures and prices, you can visit http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/

For the petrol heads

Motorsport has been a part of New Zealand history with pioneers like Burt Munro, John Britten and Bruce McLaren all revolutionary world leaders in their disciplines.

You can take your pick of multiple motor sporting events. Here’s a few to sink your teeth into.

Drag Racing

Watch the Drag Racing NZ Nationals at the Masterton Motorplex on 11-12 April; or head to the Taupo Thunder Dragway on the 28 March.

Speedway

There are a multitude of events for speedway throughout the country, but be sure to check out:

• the South Island Saloon Championship & Canterbury Modified & SuperStock Championships held on 7 March at AmPro Tools Woodford Glen Speedway.
• the Woodford Glen Speedway New Zealand Streetstock Championship held on 14 February at AmPro Tools Woodford Glen Speedway.
• The NZ Midget Champs at Ruapuna on 20-21 February
• The NZ Stockcar Teams Champs at Rotorua on 27-28 February

Jet Sprinting

Six rounds of sprints are held throughout the country. For more information for venues and times visit the New Zealand Jet Sprinting Association (New Zealand JSA).

For the surfer

With the amazing breaks that are scattered around the shore line of New Zealand, it was only a matter of time before the international competitions came calling. The Port Taranaki Pro (Womens) held in New Plymouth, as part of the Surf Festival is a World Surfing league (WSL) 6-Star Qualifying Series (World Tour) bringing some of the most talented female surfers from around the world to the country. With a purse of US$40,000 it will be hotly contested, with Taranaki’s own Paige Hareb contesting the event in an attempt to regain entry into the World Championship Tour.

This year’s Pro event is held 26-29 March with the festival completed through 23 March – 6 April.

Game, Set & Match

We’ve included only a taster of the different sporting events that are currently on offer throughout New Zealand. There is plenty of grass roots events as well as the more established competitions such as Super 15 (Rugby), the ANZ Championships (Netball), Plunket Shield (Cricket), and the ASB Premiership (Football/Soccer).

Be sure to check out the sporting events occurring in the region your visiting, and don’t forget that Kiwi Holiday Parks have your accommodation sorted, no matter where your event. With 49 Parks located nation-wide, we have the length of the country covered and with prices like ours, you’ll have plenty left over to enjoy your sporting event with lots of extras.

Is there another sporting event you are attending and should be on the list? Let us know in a comment below.

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http://www.festivaloftennis.co.nz/asbclassic/news/venus-williams-takes-out-2015-asb-classic