1994 New Zealand Tour

A chance to get away from England in February and avoid the cold weather! The opportunity was taken to offer an opening week in Fiji as acclimatisation. This was accepted by almost all the tourers - much sun, swimming, drinking at the pool Bar, visits to offshore islands - no hockey!! The three that didn't go to Fiji took the far more demanding itinerary of walking the Milford Track.

So to Dunedin and the first match - defeat - too relaxed? or were the opposition too good?
From there to the Milford Sound and to Queenstown, the recreation centre of South Island where one AB bunjy-jumped, the others preferring the less challenging but still exciting Shotover Jetboat ride.

Back at the hotel we celebrated Chinese New Year with a party of Taiwanese with whom we sang and danced afterwards.
Now to Fox Glacier which comes down virtually to sea level but, not surprisingly, is shrinking fast, and to Arthur's Pass where it was touch and go whether one of our three minibuses would make it to the top - which it did, but only just, as the occupants were discussing whether it should be the heaviest or the nimblest to leap out of the moving vehicle.
On to Christchurch, very English - one win, one loss. After the second game, an excellent barbecue and the introduction of new awards, including best and noisiest supporter.
Various routes were taken to Wellington including swimming with the dolphins at Kaikouro - an opportunity of a lifetime. In Wellington we played two games at the NZ National Hockey Stadium losing the first fairly heavily but winning the second, thankfully against a weaker side without ex-internationals.
Then to Napier, an extraordinary art-deco city,to Taupo, on to the Craters of the Moon where steam hisses out of the ground boiling the mud into a surrealist landscape, and on to Rotorua. A hockey win here but also a most educational and interesting visit to the Maori Village with entertainment Maori-style in the evening - memorable!
Lastly to Auckland - a win and a loss and the introduction of an organised End of Tour Dinner with awards, including 'Man of the Tour' T-shirt to Gary Butt.

ABs v Roskill (Auckland)

Home via Hong Kong for some.
Once again, a thoroughly good tour with a mixture of hockey, sight-seeing and relaxing - enjoyed by players and supporters alike.