The Silver Ferns will play two tests against Australia this year after Netball New Zealand (NNZ) announced the fixtures today.
The trans-Tasman rivals will face off in Sydney on June 29 with the return test in Auckland on October 29.
NNZ chief executive Shelley McMeeken said they and their Australian counterparts were committed to giving fans in both countries the chance to see the teams play.
McMeeken said they could not schedule the one-off tests in the same week or month, as they had to fit into domestic netball programmes.
"It gives the Silver Ferns a chance to review the first test, collect themselves and play them later. We have no qualms about the schedule at all," McMeeken told NZPA.
Netball Australia chief executive Lindsay Cane said netball matches between Australia and New Zealand were the most exciting in the world and they wanted to maintain the annual fixtures.
The world champions beat Australia 3-0 in their home series last winter, while the Silver Ferns were beaten 2-1 in the return in Australia last November.
The Silver Ferns begin their international season with a three-test series against England starting on March 12.
- NZPA
Netball: Silver Ferns announce Australia tests
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