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Sports & Recreation
The Northland environment and climate has a big influence on sport and leisure options in the region, enabling outdoor sport to be played throughout the year.
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| Satisfy your sense of adventure with parasailing in the Bay of Islands! |
New Zealand as a nation has a sporting culture firmly entrenched with a tradition of Saturday sport for our youngsters. Winter sports played include netball, soccer, rugby and hockey and in summer, cricket and tennis.
Rugby plays an important part in Northland with some of New Zealand’s top rugby players coming from the region.
Supporting the Northland rugby team in national competitions is a favourite pastime of many Northland families (even in the cooler winter weather).
There is a myriad of other sports played as well. Golf, basketball, water activities, equestrian, surfing, shooting, surf lifesaving and many more. Northland has produced some top hockey and netball players, with social games in both these codes the sport of choice for many.
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| Beautiful and challenging golf courses that rate with the best in the world |
Given the outstanding coastline and accessibility to water that Northland boasts, water activities are the sports of choice for many locals. Indeed many Northlanders will recall catching their first sprat (herring) from one of the many wharves around the region, often with a simple handline.
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| Many Northland children catch their first fish from one of the wharves that are so common around the coast |
Fishing is possible from beaches, rocks and wharves, many Northlander’s own their own small craft and there is a large number of charter boats to cater for visitors or big gamefishing further out to sea.
The Lion Red Snapper Classic NZ held annually at Ninety Mile Beach is recognised as the largest fishing contest of its type in NZ. It attracts competitors from all over the world.
Many other fishing competitions are held annually throughout the region.
Northland’s climate is above the optimum range for fresh water sport fish however Rainbow trout survive well and there are opportunities in many of the regions lakes and rivers, particularly the Kai Iwi lakes north of Dargaville.Northland is a scuba diving mecca! Temperate water and weather, diversity of marine life and environment and a service industry of dive shops throughout the region providing you access to everything you need.
One highlight is the marine reserve, Poor Knights Islands and surrounding waters, are renowned for their remarkable caves and natural arches. Rikoriko cave is believed to be the largest marine cave in the world. Jaques Cousteau named the Poor Knights as one of the 10 best dive sites in the world.
Northland locals also dive regularly for kaimoana (seafood) including fish, scallops, kina and crayfish. Regulatory limits are placed on how much can be taken to ensure that these resources are available in the future.
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| Jetski fun at Kai Iwi Lakes |
Other water sports include sailing, swimming, skiing and wave boarding, body boarding and surfing. The fabulous surf beach Sandy Bay, just north of Tutukaka, has nurtured some of New Zealand’s top surfers and host to an annual longboard competition.
Northland’s environment lends itself to some wonderful tramping, hiking and cycling activities with trails accessible through forest and along the coast.
The Bay of Islands hosts the annual Twin Coast Mizone Cycle Challenge, a cycling event that takes riders through the Northland environment.
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| Abseilling in a stunning natural environment |
There is probably something for everyone, including yourself, in Northland. Take a look at the following websites which will give you a brief introduction to what is available.
Related Websites
Take a look at some websites that will give you a sample of what’s available in Northland