New Zealand bounced back from an opening defeat to level the five-match series with a 2-1 victory over Japan.

New Zealand's smoother road to the Olympics has been confirmed by the international hockey federation (FIH).

Amanda Hooper an incredibly motivated and loving person, says her former coach.

Hayden Shaw brought the curtain down on one of the most successful careers in New Zealand hockey in style yesterday.

Belgium won the third and final men's hockey against New Zealand with a 4-2 victory at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland.

New Zealand battled back from a three-goal halftime deficit but South Korea still won the opening men's hockey test 3-2.

New Zealand overwhelmed South Korea 5-1 in an international women's hockey match at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland.

The New Zealand men's hockey team have begun their ascent towards the London Olympics with a solid 2-0 win over Belgium in Whangarei.

New Zealanders Nick Wilson and Kayla Sharland have been named in the international hockey federation's All Star teams.

The New Zealand women's hockey team will be playing at the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam next June following a decision to extend the tournament from six to eight teams.

The New Zealand men's and women's hockey teams' road to the 2012 London Olympics has been smoothened considerably.