Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
That said, NZ society is more integrated and accepting than most. People of all races are
represented in all levels of society and race isn't an obstacle to achievement.
For the younger generation, for whom the 1980s are prehistory, political apathy is the
norm. In the 2011 general election only 75% of the population turned out to vote; for the
under 30s this drops to less than 64%.
A SPORTING CHANCE
The arena where Kiwis have most sated their desperation for recognition on the
world stage is in sport. In 2012 NZ was ranked the most successful sporting nation
per capita in the world (in 2013 it slipped to third, behind Slovenia and Norway). NZ
are the current world champions in Rugby Union, holding both the men's and wo-
men's world cup.
For most of the 20th century, NZ's All Blacks dominated international rugby uni-
on, with one squad even dubbed 'The Invincibles'. Taking over this pastime of the
British upper class did wonders for national identity and the game is now inter-
woven with NZ's history and culture. The 2011 Rugby World Cup victory did much
to raise spirits after a year of tragedy and economic gloom.
For all rugby's influence on the culture, don't go to a game expecting to be
caught up in an orgy of noise and cheering. Rugby crowds at Auckland's Eden Park
are as restrained as their teams are cavalier, but they get noisier as you head
south. In contrast, a home game for the NZ Warriors rugby league team at Auck-
land's Mt Smart Stadium is a thrilling spectacle, especially when the Polynesian
drummers kick in.
Despite the everyman appeal of rugby union in NZ (unlike in the UK), rugby
league retains the status of the working-class sport and support is strongest in
Auckland's Maori, Polynesian and other immigrant communities.
Netball is the leading sport for women and the one in which the national team,
the Silver Ferns, perpetually vies for world supremacy with the Australians - one or
other of the countries has taken the world championship at every contest (except
for a three-way tie in 1979).
In 2010 the All Whites, NZ's national soccer (football) squad, competed in the
FIFA World Cup for the second time ever, emerging with the totally unanticipated
distinction of being the only unbeaten team in the competition. They didn't win any
games either, but most Kiwis were overjoyed to have seen their first ever world cup
goals and three draws. Sadly, they failed to qualify for the 2014 tournament.
Other sports in which NZ punches above its weight include sailing, rowing, ca-
noeing, equestrian, cycling and triathlon. The most Olympic medals NZ has won
have been in athletics, particularly in track and field events. Cricket is the estab-
