Category: Sports

A rain-soaked Auckland FC captain Francis De Vries gestures during his side’s 2-1 loss to the Newcastle Jets in a round six A-League men’s competition match at Mount Smart Stadium, 30 November, 2025. Photo: Photosport Auckland FC are out for revenge. The A-League leaders host the ninth placed Jets to kick off 2026 and they’re…

Sport is far more than just what happens on the court, pitch, field or canvas. The biggest stories often involve controversy completely away from the game. Jonty Dine takes a look back at at the most dramatic headlines in sport in 2025. From a raging rabbit to a hat stealing CEO, there were plenty of…

Clockwise from top left, Lorraine Moller, Scott Dixon, Val Smith, Martin Guptill. Photo: Photosport An Indycar icon, a name synonymous with bowls, and a long-distance runner who pushed for women’s equity in sport are among those who have been recognised in the New Year Honours. New Zealand’s most successful modern motorsport champion, Sir Scott Dixon…

Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Max Verstappen may have been beaten for the Formula 1 title this year but he has been voted the top driver of the year by his peers. The Dutchman came up just short in his quest for a fifth successive world title, finishing two points behind McLaren’s…

Liam Lawson of New Zealand Photo: RUDY CAREZZEVOLI / AFP The Racing Bulls boss has some encouraging words for New Zealand driver Liam Lawson. Lawson is on a break after completing his first full season in Formula 1 which presented him with many challenges. Lawson was demoted from Red Bull to junior team Racing Bulls…

England’s Head Coach John Mitchell celebrates after the women’s Rugby World Cup final victory, 2025. Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has been recognised in the British New Years Honours. Mitchell has been appointed an OBE for services to rugby after guiding England to the women’s Rugby World Cup title…

Shane van Gisbergen and co driver Richie Stanaway win the 2023 Repco Bathurst 1000. Photo: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics / PHOTOSPORT Formula 1 star Liam Lawson got to try out the car of another New Zealand champion driver over the Christmas period. Lawson got to drive Shane van Gisbergen’s Bathurst-winning Supercar at Highlands Motorsport Park. It…

The Warriors hopes suffer a crippling blow, as star halfback Luke Metcalf falls to a season-ending knee injury. Photo: Tertius Pickard/www.photosport.nz Under the Go Media Stadium stand, with the bravado of hope finally stripped away, NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster confronted reality. After a season that saw them off to a best-ever 7-2 start, sitting…

There were a plethora of bizarre, quirky, and eye popping moments in the world of sport in 2025. Photo: Photosport What happened in the unpredictable world of sport in 2025? Jonty Dine takes a look back. Whistling Webby Sick of a lack of accountability for referees, Warriors coach Andrew Webster was not going to tolerate…

Emma Pijnenburg of the Football Ferns. Photo: MEXSPORT / PHOTOSPORT The Wellington Phoenix women have signed White Ferns midfielder Emma Pijnenburg for the rest of the A-League season. The 21 year old replaces Alyssa Whinham, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in round three. Pijnenburg returns to New Zealand having secured a release from Feyenoord…