High Performance sport features prominently in Prime Minister Modi visit

Canoe Racing’s Dame Lisa Carrington and Alicia Hoskin (pictured) were joined by Dame Valerie Adams, cyclist Sam Dakin and Para cyclist Ben Westenberg. Three products of HPSNZ’s Goldmine Innovation team – a canoe racing power blade (paddle containing data gathering instrumentation), a bespoke shot put (also containing data gathering instrumentation) and cycling skinsuits designed to reduce drag – featured in the showcase, along with a prosthetic developed by Ben Westenberg specifically for Para cyclist Nicole Murray.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit and the showcase were part of a wider celebration of 100 years of sporting connection between India and New Zealand.

A century on from the Indian Army hockey team’s first tour of New Zealand in 1926, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon signed the India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on sport, building on the Memorandum of Cooperation signed last year.

Sport New Zealand Group CEO Raelene Castle joined the two Prime Ministers for the Action Plan signing and later she and former Blackcap Ross Taylor to led them through the High Performance Showcase.

100 Years of Unity through Sport is a year-long programme of sport, community and cultural events across New Zealand. A series of sporting events will take place later this year in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington, with cricket, bowls and football matches already confirmed and more events to be announced.

Find out more about 100 Years of Unity through Sport and follow the programme.