The New Zealand women's hockey team have drawn 1-all with Australia at the Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey.
Australia scored early in the match but the Black Sticks were able to level it in the last quarter.
Black Sticks hockey player Olivia Merry playing against Japan. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Yesterday New Zealand lost 2-1 to Japan in their tournament opener.
A goal just two minutes from fulltime gave Japan a 2-1 win over the Black Sticks.
In a rematch of last year's final, Japan drew first blood when Motomi Kawamura slotted one from a penalty corner in the eighth minute.
Following the first half, which was disrupted for some time by a burst water main, the Japanese held their advantage deep into the fourth quarter.
The Black Sticks delivered an equalising blow in the 54th minute thanks to a low and strong penalty corner drag flick from Brooke Neal.
But Japan struck again with less than two minutes on the clock with a defensive error giving away another penalty corner opportunity and allowing Yu Asai to score the winning goal.
Black Sticks midfielder Pippa Hayward said it was a game which should have ended with a draw.
"It's quite a disappointing start to the tournament for us, we need to be a lot better and have work to do in both the attacking and defensive circles."
