KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's toughest Olympic opposition will come last when they start pool play at the Beijing Olympics in August.
The draws were released yesterday and the world No 10 men's Black Sticks will want points banked before facing world No 1 Germany in their final group game.
They start with Korea (No 5) before playing Spain (No 4), Belgium (No 12) and China (No 17).
The women, who are ranked No 8 but have had a tough leadup this year with 12 losses in 14 games, finish their section against No 2-ranked Argentina.
They start with Japan (No 5), then play Germany (No 3), Britain (unranked but about No 9) and the 11th-ranked United States.
The men recently finished an encouraging third at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament and left for Europe and a series of matches yesterday. They will face Germany twice, Spain, Britain, Belgium and Canada, which should give a decent gauge on progress.
However they departed without luckless centre half Casey Henwood, who broke a hand in training on Wednesday. His place has gone to Richard Petherick.
The women leave for Beijing on Tuesday for a four-nation Olympic warmup against China, the US and either Korea or Japan.
Both New Zealand squads are expected to be named on June 30.
* Two members of Spain's women's team have failed B tests for a banned substance, according to the International Hockey Federation.
A hearing is scheduled for this month. According to FIH rules, if more than one member of a team tests positive, the whole team can be thrown out of the tournament.
