Common Ground: 100 Years of NZ–India Sporting Ties
9 October 2026
As New Zealand and India mark 100 years of sporting ties in 2026, hockey takes centre stage in this special three-part Asia Insight podcast series. Sports journalist Stephen Hewson speaks with three New Zealand hockey greats about the people, milestones and shared history that have brought the two countries closer through sport.
Sport has long brought New Zealand and India together, building connections that go well beyond the playing field. In 2026, the two countries celebrate 100 years of sporting ties, a relationship that began with the Indian Army hockey team's historic tour of New Zealand in 1926.
From hockey and mountaineering to cricket and beyond, sport has helped foster friendships, strengthen communities and bring the two countries closer.
In this special three-part Asia Insight: Common Ground podcast series, sports journalist Stephen Hewson speaks with three New Zealand hockey greats whose stories offer a glimpse into this shared sporting history.
Episode 1: Priya Bhikha
Stephen Hewson speaks with Priya Bhikha, the first woman of Indian heritage to play hockey for New Zealand at national level. Her story reflects the contribution of New Zealand's Indian community to the country's sporting history and the barriers broken along the way.
Episode 2: Ramesh Patel
From representing New Zealand on the hockey field to helping lead the sport off it, Ramesh Patel has been part of some defining moments in New Zealand hockey. The first player of Indian descent to represent New Zealand, Patel was a member of the historic 1976 Montreal Olympic gold medal-winning team and later became CEO of Hockey New Zealand. He reflects on his journey and the sporting connections between New Zealand and India.
Episode 3: Selwyn Maister
What made hockey such an important part of New Zealand and India's early sporting relationship? Stephen Hewson explores this history with Selwyn Maister, a member of New Zealand's 1976 Olympic gold medal-winning team and a hockey historian. From the Indian Army team's landmark 1926 tour to the evolution of the game, Maister looks back at where this century-long connection began.
This special podcast series accompanies the Century of Sporting Ties research report.
The Foundation's sports programme provides New Zealand sportspeople and administrators opportunities to grow more knowledgeable, connected and confident with Asia.
The Foundation's research programme publishes surveys, reports, and insights briefs relating to all aspects of New Zealand’s relationships with and interests in Asia. We also provide grants to emerging scholars with Asia-related research interests.