Stories by Stephen Hewson

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.

First Person - Ahead of the Lions tour of New Zealand, Stephen Hewson remembers watching the All Blacks take on the Lions at Athletic Park in 1977. Video

Sports Call - Fair play to Sonny Bill Williams. He's standing up for what he believes. But he's also biting the hand that feeds writes Stephen Hewson.

Sports Call - The third and final test against South Africa in Hamilton will reveal a lot about the mettle of this inexperienced Black Caps side but also Kane Williamson's captaincy writes Sports…

The sudden death of former Australian international Dan Vickerman has prompted New Zealand players to seek help with mental health issues.

The All Blacks coach says it's hard to understand that the team's own security consultant has been charged over installing a listening device in their meeting room.

Outspoken - New Zealand prides itself on its sporting prowess, but is the idea that it's part of our identity just a romantic myth? Stephen Hewson takes a closer look. Audio

Rowing champions Mahe Drysdale and Hamish Bond could join forces for New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics.

Sports Call - Steven Adams' phenomenal rise in the NBA - and the associated pay cheque - is being celebrated, but New Zealand basketball is unlikely to benefit, writes Stephen Hewson.

The 36-year-old Wellington off spinner Jeetan Patel doesn't anticipate his return to the Black Caps will amount to anything more than a couple of guest appearances.

Phoenix fans will be thinking this must surely be the year for the Wellington-based football club to deliver - and they are not alone.

It's nearly 30 years since the New Zealand cricketers last won a test in India and recent form suggests they'll struggle to turn that around when the Black Caps begin a three test series in Kanpur…

In its 68-year history, the Paralympics has grown from a competition for injured WWII veterans to an international event involving athletes from 160 countries.

The memory of late All Black great Jonah Lomu will loom large in Friday's memorial match between Wellington and Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe.

Sports Call - There's an element of sadness as the curtain comes down on the Rio Olympics, but as Stephen Hewson writes, it's not because the Games are over.

Sports Call - The day of reckoning looms for New Zealand as Olympic medal expectations teeter, writes Stephen Hewson.