New Zealand's national sport is rugby. However, New Zealanders also participate in a full range of other sporting activities - often with considerable success at international level. Sports hold a high profile in our education system and patterns established in early life tend to continue well into adulthood. Most adults actively participate in at least one team or individual sport, and veterans teams catering for players forty years and older are a standard feature of the sporting scene. As with all aspects of New Zealand's social life, a key feature of this and other sporting activities is their accessibility. Almost 15% of New Zealand families own their own boat, and the number of golf courses per capita is the highest in the world. By international standards, club costs are very low and membership is generally open.
Outdoor Activities: The Wilderness and the Sea
Getting away from the crowds is never a problem, and the freedom and safety New Zealanders enjoy in their outdoor pursuits is one of the distinct advantages of life here. Even those living in the major centres are often within less than a twenty-minute drive of open and unspoilt countryside. As a result, many New Zealanders spend their weekends and holidays in the outdoors. Even on weekdays, a walk on a lonely beach alone with the sea and surf is an option available to most urban residents.
Fishing
Fishing is New Zealand's most popular sport with 25% of New Zealanders fishing regularly. New Zealand is reputed to have the best trout fishing in the world. There are no private waters and the licence fee is modest. Fishing regulations are strictly observed and trout fishermen are noted for their sporting ethic.
There is no licence fee for sea fishing, but strict regulations apply to fishing methods, maximum catches, fishing seasons and prohibited areas. Specific rules also apply to gathering shellfish. It is forbidden to sell or trade your catch. Breaking the fishing regulations, including those governing the collection of wild shellfish, is totally unacceptable and can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment.
For more information about fresh water fishing, contact the local office of Fish and Game New Zealand, or a sporting goods shop.
For information on sea fishing rules, contact the Ministry of Fisheries, on Freephone: 0800 478 537 (0800 4 RULES).
