If you bump into any super-tall Americans, chances are they’re in the country to bump up their skill levels in the main basketball league, the NBL. ‘American imports’, as they’re known, pepper the 10 provincial teams. Basketball enjoys good spectator and participant support and there are leagues ranging from junior and age-group leagues to elite and mixed social leagues. Basketball is considered a winter sport, but most associations offer a summer league. The national men’s team is called the Tall Blacks and the women’s side is the Tall Ferns.

Basketball New Zealand, 04 498 5950 www.basketball.org.nz

Basketball Auckland
09 526 0768 www.basketballauckland.co.nz

Wellington Basketball Association
04 389 8004 www.wellingtonbasketball.co.nz

Canterbury Basketball Association
03 982 8459 www.canterburybasketball.co.nz