Stories by Stephen Hewson

Trying to lure the country's most capped international women's footballer Abby Erceg out of retirement isn't a priority for new Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni.

Sports Call - It's never easy to watch a national sporting hero fall from grace, but this is the sad reality facing Hamish Carter writes Sports Editor Stephen Hewson.

The latest match-fixing allegations aren't proving a distraction for the Black Caps as they head to Dubai and their first international matchplay for seven months.

A culture of bullying, poor behaviour, lack of accountability and an inappropriate relationship all existed within a dysfunctional high performance programme at Cycling NZ, an independent review has…

Sportscall - For football's sake, New Zealand Football chair Deryck Shaw needs to re-consider his decision not to step down writes Sports Editor Stephen Hewson.

Desperate times have forced a change of heart from Netball New Zealand over eligibility rules for the Silver Ferns.

Sport New Zealand maintains the country's sports system isn't broken despite a growing list of complaints from top athletes in cycling, rowing and hockey.

Former Black Caps coach John Bracewell doesn't believe a New Zealander needs to replace outgoing coach Mike Hesson.

The former All Blacks winger Julian Savea is making no bones about it...the lure of the French franc is behind his decision to leave New Zealand rugby.

Sports Call - Imagine the angst if All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had stood down a year out from the World Cup, writes RNZ's Stephen Hewson.

Opinion - Newly appointed Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan looks a much more natural fit for the A League strugglers than his predecessor.

The Blues fullback Matt Duffie wants clarity around rugby's high ball rule, questioning whether leaping is worth the risk.

The New Zealand women's hockey team has beaten Australia 4-1 in the gold medal match at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Analysis - Yes, the good guy finished second, but Sam Gaze's outburst was also understandable, writes Sports Editor Stephen Hewson.

The Olympic rowing champion Hamish Bond says he's too inexperienced as a cyclist to know whether the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games time trial course will suit him.

Beaches, theme parks and schoolies week is what the Gold Coast is renowned for.

The Black Caps need to not only recognise they have a problem winning series deciding matches but also deal with the issue properly says a leading sports psychologist.

Sports Call - How many times will Chris Greenacre be called upon to rescue the Phoenix from the mire? asks Stephen Hewson.

It's 26 years since New Zealand won its only Winter Olympic medal - and it's beginning to hang over the team rather than inspire it.

Sports Call - An opportunity missed. That pretty much sums up last night's Halberg Sports Awards.

As Kiwis rugby league fans lament New Zealand's dismal world cup campaign, Pacific rugby league is on the rise.

Getting into the head of goal attack Maria Tutaia is the key to overcoming the Silver Ferns, England captain Ama Agbeze says.

Sports Call - The Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend but it seems about as interesting as a magician on the radio.

The Silver Ferns captain Katrina Grant admits she flirted with the idea of moving to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, before signing on with the Central Pulse for one more year.

Problems with team culture have been highlighted by a review of the New Zealand cycling team's disappointing performance at last year's Rio Olympics.