New Zealand has a wide variety of sports stadia to cater for all major sports, many of them helping to create wonderful crowd atmosphere.
Sports writers from the NZ Herald and Radio Sport put their heads together to compile a collective list of their favourite sports grounds.
Here’s their top 10.
10 best sports grounds in New Zealand
1. Basin Reserve, Wellington
Home of Wellington cricket and host for international cricket.
2. Eden Park, Auckland
Home of rugby’s Blues, Auckland Rugby and venue for international rugby, cricket and, occasionally, football.
3= Western Springs, Auckland
Home of Auckland speedway (and venue for major rock concerts).
3= Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Cricket ground inside a 52-hectare “Garden of National Significance”. Hosts cultural events including WOMAD Festival.
5= Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Home of Canterbury cricket, redeveloped for Cricket World Cup.
6= Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Home of Highlanders and Otago Rugby, and international rugby venue. Has retractable roof, and hosts other sports including football.
7= Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Home of football’s Auckland City and Central United, and resembles lower-league football grounds from England’s past.
7= Queenstown Events Centre
Test and ODI cricket venue, former home of national sevens tournament.
9= Seddon Park, Hamilton
Test and ODI cricket venue, and home of Northern Districts Cricket.
10. Carlaw Park, Auckland
No longer exists – the former home of rugby league is now the site of a hotel, apartments and office buildings.
“(Pukekura Park is the) best cricket ground in the world. Bit small these days, but could be easily enlarged.“ — NZ Herald sports writer Dylan Cleaver.
Source: NZ Herald, 2016
